P3 



J. 



y 



<L 



/ 



PS 2014 
.H12 H4 
Copy 1 



THE HENRIETTA 



a Cometip in four act^. 



BRONSON HOWARD 



Copyright, 1901, by Bronson Howard. 



New York 
SAMUEL FRENCH 

PUBLISHER 

26 WEST 22D STREET 



London 
SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 

PUBLISHERS 

89 STRAND 



/ 



THE LIBRARY OF 

CONGRESS, 
Two Cortfca Received 

OCT, 9. 1901 

/IjOPV'RIGHT ENTRY 






SCENE PLOT OP " THE HENEIETTA.'^ 



ACT I. 

PRIVATE OFFICE OF NICHOLAS VANALSTYNE. 

DARK OAK OR LIBRARY. 

2 wings. 

3 set doors. 

1 square opening. 

1 large French window. 

Exterior (street) backing behind window. 

Interior backings to all set doors. 

Fancy borders. 

Note. — This set should be dark, rich and as warm as 
possible. 



CHARACTERS. 

Nicholas Vanalstyne, Old Nick in the Street. 

Dr. Parke Wainwright. 

Nicholas Vanalstyne, Jr. 

Bertie Vanalstyne, his Brother, a lamb. 

Lord Arthur Trelawney, Another. 

The Rev. Dr. Murray Hillton, a Shepherd. 

" It was to combat and expose such as these, no doubt, y^^ 

that laughter was made." — Vanity Fair. 
"Watson Flint, a Broker. 
Musgrave, an old Clerk. 
Mrs. Cornelia Opdyke, a Widow. 
Mrs. Rose Vanalstyne, Wife of Vanalstyne, Jr. 
Agnes, her sister, in love with Bertie. 
Lady Mary Trelawney, old Vanalstyne's daughter. 

3 



PKOPERTY LIST. 



SYNOPSIS OF SCENERY. 



Act I. — Residence of Nicholas Vanalstyne, in New 

York. A Giant and a Lamb. 
Act II. — The Drawing-room, A Packet of Letters. 

Henrietta. 
Act III.— Private office of Watson Flint & Co., Stock 

Exchange Brokers, Wall Street, New York. 

Bulls, Bears and the Tiger. (An interval of 

18 months.) 
Act IV. — Vanalstyne's residence. 



PEOPERTY LIST. 



LIBRARY FURNITURE. 

Green carpet down. 
Drugget, dark, rich — down. 
Large dark mantel, fire logs, etc. 

On mantel, handsome bronze clock and ornaments to 
match. 

Handsome dark fire set. 

Plenty of bronze or dark rich statuary. 

1 rich screen with three folds. 

3 rugs. 

7 handsome black fur rugs. 

4 dark mahogany pedestals. 

4 large bronze stfttues. 

5 liandsome stands with pot plants. 

1 rich panel library table. 
5 medium heavy chairs. 

2 large leather reclining chairs. 
2 large revolving leather chairs. 

1 elegant high-top desk (very rich). 

Handsome bric-a-brac for top of desk. 

1 large armchair. ^. 

1 small Davenport desk. 

1 small desk, flat or roll-top. 

1 small hassock or footstool. 

Telephone hung on side of door L. of C. 

1 pad of paper for Musgrave. 

Bell to ring at cue off l. in room. 

Package of Duke's Cameo cigarettes, for Bertie. 



PROPERTY LIST. 



•VANALSTYNE'S DESK R. WITH PROPERTIES. 

Elegant high-top desk (v^ery rich). 

Handsome bric-a-brac for top of desk. 

1 large chair. 

1 small footstool in front of chair. 

1 waste basket on down stage side of desk. 

1 handsome inkstand. 

2 pens, and pen-holders and pencils. 

2 blotters. 

1 check-book with blanks filled out. 

1 bundle of bonds, with one check filled out outside D. L. 3. 

3 inventories on desk R. 
1 cigar. 

1 new New York Herald. 

All pigeon-holes in desk filled with papers and books. 



VANALSTYNE, JR.'S, DESK L. 2 WITH PROPERTIES. 

Desk, if rolled up, dressed same as Old Nick's ; if flat 
top, dressed accordingly. 

1 waste basket on down stage side of desk. 

A pile of 15 letters, written, addressed, stamped and 
sealed. 

3 inventories. 

1 paper-knife. 

1 book' of 2^ut orders— 2nnk. 

1 book of call orders — blue. 

1 quire of note paper. 

Handsome inkstand and pens and pencils. 

1 blotter. 

1 large chair. 



MUSGRAVE'S DESK L. C. WITH PROPERTIES. 

1 desk. 

1 chair. 

1 inkstand, pens and pencils. 

1 small pad of paper. 

3 inventories. 

Half dozen sheets of writing paper. 

Blotter. 

Pad of telegram blanks. 

Pigeon-holes filled same as other desks. 



MUSIC NOTE. 



MUSGRAVE'S TABLE IN ROOM OFF L. 

10 inventories. 

1 telegram written, addressed and sealed. 

1 letter written and folded. 

Note. — All the furniture in this act must be of dark 
wood (leather), and very rich and handsome. Use nothing 
light in this act. 



GAS PLOT. 

PRIVATE OFFICE OF NICHOLAS VANALSTYNE. 

House, foots and borders full up. 
Runcli lights R. and L. 3 E. 
Bunch light L. 2 E. 
Gas log R. 2 E. (lighted). 

Bunch light back of window L. u. E., when calcium is 
not used. 



CALCIUM PLOT. 

Open light, yellow medium, L. of c. window. 
Red medium behind fireplace R. 



MUSIC NOTE. 



There is no music to take up for the fall of curtain ex- 
cepting that of Act II. The curtain will rise on the last 
strains of overtures. The entre acts between Acts I. and 

II. very long ; between II. and III. Acts medium ; between 

III. and IV. Acts long. Please warn members of orchestra 
to be in tlieir places for the end of Act II., and those hav- 
ing music to play very pp until cue for ff. 



" THE HENRIETTA/' 



ACT I. 



SCENE— i^esidence of Nicholas Vanalstyne, in New 
York. Private office. Doors up R. c. ; up l. c, and 
down L. The door up l. c. opens to a small apartment 
beyond. The other doors lead to lialls. Bay-window up 
c. Mantel and fire down r. Desk r. c. against wall. 
Desk L. c. against wall. Small desk up c, and also one 
in further corner of pie apartment up l. A telephone on 
wall of this apartment, near Die door. Revolving-chair 
at desk R. c. concealed at rise of curtain by scr-een, ivhich 
can afterwards be folded back towards the mantel. 
Heavy curtains across bay-window. All ap>pointments 
very rich. Mantel and woodwork carved or inlaid. Gen- 
eral tone of scene deep in color, to contrast with bril- 
liancy of drawing-room in next act. Discover^ : Nich- 
olas Vanalstyne, Jr., sitting at desk down\. 

Enter Musgrave from door up l., inventory in hand. 
Van., Jr., is ope7iing letters from a jnle of correspond- 
erice ; glancing at some and putting them aside, reading 
others. He is in rich dressing-jacket, his face rather pale 
and slightly sunken. Musgrave is an elderly man ; he is 
running up columns of figures in a business paper as the 
curtain rises. 

Musgrave. (footing up the columns). Five; eight; 
fifty -three. (Speaks to Van., Jr.) The whole amount is 
fifty-three millions, eight hundred and fifty thousand dol- 
lars, sir. (Comes down, lays inventory on young Nick's 
desk, and goes to c.) 

Van., Jr. (considting a memorandum). I forgot to 
give you the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western first 
mortgage bonds in the Chemical Bank. Put them in at 
two millions; and unencumbered real estate— say five 
millions. , 

Musgrave. Yes, sir. (Speaking aside as he proceeds. ) 
I'm certain there's another great operation under weigh. 



8 *' THE HENRIETTA." 

I wonder if it is the Henrietta Mining and Land Company. 
But, Lord bless me, I know about as much of what old 
Nicholas Vanalstyne is doing as the body-servant of a 
general does about the plan of campaign. 

(TJie telephone bell sounds. Musgrave goes to it, putting 
the tube to his ear. ) 

Hello! (listens, and then speaks into telephone). The 
order was for five thousand shares at one forty-seven and 
an eighth. What? (Listens, and then sjjeaks to Van., Jr.) 
Watson Flint & Co. wish to knovv^ if they shall fill your 
order for Chicago and Northwestern preferred. It's a 
quarter higher this morning. 

Van., Jr. Yes. 

Musgrave. (in telephone). Yes; buy. Eh? Evans- 
ville and Terre Haute ? (Listens.) Oh! (To Van., Jr.) 
About that ninety-five thousand dollars, sir, in 

Van. , Jr. I don't care to be worried about trifles like 
that this morning. Tell them to use their own judgment. 

Musgrave. (in telephone). Do f^s you think best about 
the smaller matters to-day. Good-by. 

Van., Jr. I'm not well, Musgrave. Kindly tell the 
servant lo show Dr. Wainwright directly to this room 
when he calls. 

Musgrave. Yes, sir. Trifles! In over thirty years I 
have laid by a little more than six thousand dollars by 
rigid economy, and the Vanalstynes made half a million 
by one little turn in the market last Friday. (Exit into 
apartment door.) 

Van., Jr. What's this ? (Suddenly looking at a letter.) 
Gertrude's handwriting ! Addressed to my real name !— 
and here ! (Breaks it open, and reads. ) " This letter will 
surprise you ; but not so much, nor so terribly, as it sur- 
prised me, to learn, for the first time, to-night, your true 
name ; and— I can hardly write the words— the fact— that 
you— have— a— wife ! / have been your wife, and I am 
the mother of your child ; the blessing of Heaven upon 
our union was never sought ; but how little I knew that 
the curse of Heaven was hanging over me so darkly ! " 
(He reads a moment longer in silence, then sets his teeth, 
folds the letter deliberately, and tearing it up with a deter- 
mined motion, throws the letter in waste-paper basket at 
foot of desk.) Curse the woman ! 

(Enter Musgrave ujj l. c.) 

Musgrave. I liave finished the inventory, sir, and 
struck the balance. (Giving him jx-tper.) 
Van., Jr. (taking it). Musgrave, tell Watson Flint & 



THE HENRIETTA. 



Co. to buy me an option. (Musgrave makes notes)— Chi- 
cago, Santa Fe and California— buy three -at current 
rates— five thousand shares. 



C. A. 



(Nicholas Vanalstyne appears above the screen R. 
New York Herald in his hand.) 

Vanalstyne. Here, here, what the devil are you doing 
that for? {Crosses toe, smoking cigar.) 

Van., Jr. I'm amusing myself, father. I must have 
sometliing to think about. 

(Musgrave crosses, folds screen, and places it behind desk.) 

Vanalstyne. But that's gambling, my son. Sell an 
option on Nebraska and Montana ; I'm going to water that 
stock to-morrow. Never gamble, my son ; it isn t right. 
Squeeze the shorts, that's business. While you re about 
it I may as well have a little fun with the boys on the 
street myself. Make it ten thousand for each of us, Mus- 

^^SuSgrave. Yes, sir ! {Exit up L., closing door.) 

Vanalstyne. I see by the paper this morning that the 
Wall Street lambs are buying Nebraska and Montana very 
freely. {Returns and sits at desk. Reads.) " Nicholas 
Vanalstvne, the greatest operator now in the street, says 
that it is only a question of time when this stock will be a 
sure dividend at eight per cent." Did I say time ? That 
was a slip of the tongue. I meant eternity, i-^^ads^ 
" The room-traders, who threw over Louisville and Nash- 
ville, were completely fooled by the fact that ' old Nick 
Vanalstyne had been telling them the honest truth. ihe 
boys on the Stock Exchange will never understand the 
strictly truthful principles on which I conduct my busi- 
ness affairs. I never made a big haul yet, except hy tell- 
ing the honest truth. I only lie between times. ''Truth 
crushed to earth will rise again." I know exactly when 
to let her rise ; that's all. When I'm lying, I let em rob 
each otlier. The plaintive wail that goes up from Wall 
Street, whenever I corner it, is a touching tribute to the 
sincerity of my character. " Damn old Vanalstyne !— he s 
been telling us the truth again." , 

Van. , Jr. Here is the inventory of our securities, avail- 
able and unavailable. {Rises and exits to Old Nick at 
desk R. , and returns immediately to his desk -L.) 

Van. Ah! {taking it, R.). Hello! Forty-eight mil- 
lions already out as collaterals ; balance available only 
twenty-two millions. My son. ( Turns in chair, and looks 
at Young Nick.) Some other big fish is swimming in 
these waters, and there aren't any signs of where he is yet. 



y 



J 



;iO « THE HENRIETTA/' 

Some great operator is going against us in this Henrietta 
mine deal. I liave felt his hand at every move in the 
game, but I can't see him. He's working in the dark. I 
did think it was my old enemy, John Van Brunt ; but our 
lawyers have got him in Chancery. Whoever it is, we've 
got to move very carefully ; my balance to work on is get- 
ting narrow. I got this infernal Henrietta mine on a 
three-hundred-dollar bluff, in a friendly game of poker. 
I incorporated the game — I mean the mine— for twenty 
millions capital ; bought the whole town, including two 
newspapers and an opera house, and all the railways, run- 
ning in that direction, not to mention the branch lines 
and a steamship company, to say nothing of six million 
acres of public land grants. The Henrietta Railway and 
Mining Company now pervades and ramifies the entire 
country— from Ohio to California. It has become the 
financial focus of the solar system. I only had ace, high 
and a Jack ; drew to a bob-tail flush ; fifty-cent ante. 

Van., Jr. A few of these letters need your personal 
attention. (Crosses to his father, giving him letters. Old 
Nick takes the letters, looking them over. Young Nick 
recrosses to his desk 4, sits and speaks half over his 
shoidder. ) Butler, at Omaha, writes that two more com- 
peting lines of railroad 

Van. {incidentally, as he is looking at letters). Tell him 
to buy them both. 

Van., Jr. The Legislature of Nevada 

Van. Buy that, too. 

Van., Jr. Tlie new Constitution of the State 

Van. Tell our agents to have it amended at once-=- 
same as Missouri. 

Van., Jr. Holliston has been nominated for Congress 
in Kansas. Shall we contribute to his election exj)enses i 

Van. No ; wait till he gets to Washington. (Looks at 
a letter.) " Poughkeepsie Bridge Bill — five votes short." 
(Turns in chair, looks over glasses to Young Nick.) Tele- 
graph to Holbrook at Albany. (Vanalstyne, Jr., makes 
notes.) " Buy six more country members, and charge to my 
account." (Looks at another letter.) Schauspii, tlie art 
dealer, lias a new painting by Meissonier. Write to him 
for me, Nick. Tell him I'll give him thirty dollars a 
square inch. There's six per cent, in Meissonier at tliat ; 
no sounder stock in the market. 

Van., Jr. (making a note). What's the subject of the 
painting ? 

Van. (looks at letter intently). Eighteen inches by twenty- 
four. Hello! Ha— ha— ha— lia ! (Looking at another 
letter.) Bill Jarvis lost his entire fortune in our twist on 
the Street last Friday. Ha— ha— ha ! Bill Jarvis is my 
dearest old schoolmate. Ha — ha— ha — ha ! Jarvis and I 



" THE HENRIETTA." 11 

were brought up together. Ha-ha-ha ! We let him in 
for two hundred thousand dollars. Ha— ha— ha ! I was 
always getting jokes on Bill. We must give the old boy a 
chance to start again. Write to him that my bank ac- 
' count is at his service, Nick. Ah! he'l make another 
fortune in a year, and-ha-ha— ha !-I'll get that, too ! 
(Enter Uvsqrayk l. c, going towards small desk; stops.) 
Oh Musgrave ! make a note for me. (Musgrave comes 
c withioriting-pad.) The widow of Robert W. Worth— 
( Then to Vanalstyne, Jr.) How much did we make out 
of him on the last deal ? 

Van., Jr. About ninety thousand. 

Van. I see the poor devil died yesterday. We 11 make 
that good to his widow. ^ ^.^^^ 

Musgrave. Yes, sir ; I'll remind you of it. A tele- 
gram just come, sir. {Gives Vanalstyne a telegram aiid 
sits at desk up c, making a note.) . _ . ^ ^^^ ,^ , 

Van a cable from your sister Mary m London . {Reads.) 
" I am going to marry Lord Arthur Fitzroy Waldegrave 
Rawdon Trelawney." . , . - 

Van., Jr. Indeed! (Young Nick turns in chair in 

Van. ' How many men do you understand she's going 

to marry ? , , t 

Van., Jr. The usual number, I suppose. 

Van Ah ' All those names belong to the same man. 
Musgrave, cable. {Dictates.) - Miss Mary Vanalstyne 
Hotel Metropole, London :— Draw on me for whatever it 
costs vou." {Throtvs despatch on desk andis opening letter.) 
Who 2S Lord Arthur-continued in our next— Trelawney r" 

Van., Jr. {writing at desk, paying no attention). 
Fourth son of the Marquis of Dorchester. 

Van. Father's rich, isn't he? 

Van., Jr. I believe so. .t^w*„\ 

Van. {to Musgrave). Add to that cable. {Dictates.) 
" Tell the Marquis I can let him have a block of Northern 
Pacific Common at twenty-nine." Fll land the oljl man 
for all mv girl's wedding expenses. {Looks at letter.) 
From the Rev. Dr. Murray Hilton; another subscription, 
I suppose. {Long pause.) By thunder ! Our pastor has 
dropped on the Henrietta Mine deal, and he wants to 
know if I can let him in. I thought he'd been more than 
usually anxious about my spiritual welfare lately. But 
how the deuce did he learn anything about tlie Heniietta 
Mine *-' We must let him in for a few thousands. It we 
don't, he'll give us away to the whole congregation ; and 
the leading pillars of our church are also P\"'i^s of the 
Stock Exchange. ( Turns half to Musgrave Write to 
the Rev. Dr. Murray Hilton. (P'^*S^''-\^'}l,,^f^ 
you at Friday evening prayers." {Pause.) That 11 do, 



12 " THE HENRIETTA." 

Miisgrave. (Turns to desk. Exit Musgrave to apart- 
ments L. c, closing door.) 

Vanalstyne, Jr. By the way, Governor, Mrs. Cor- 
nelia Opdyke 

Vanalstyne. Mrs. Opdyke! I'm interested. (Rises 
goes to L. c. To Young Nick.) 
Vanalstyne, Jr. Interested ? 
Vanalstyne. Wliat about her? 

Vanalstyne, Jr. Her property lias been invested in 
government bonds ; and nearly the whole amount has been 
called m. Watson Flint & Co. are her agents, you know 
They asked me yesterday if I could suggest anything in 
1 10 way of re-mvestment. She has about three hundred 
tliousand dollars. 

Vanalstyne. Tell Watson Flint I'll let her have the 
entire amount in Louisville and West Tennessee preferred 
at par. ^ 

Van., Jr. {turns sharply in chair). But that is your pet 
gUt-edged stock. It's a sure ten per cent, dividend 

Vanalstyne. The Reverend Dr. Murray Hilton is after 
the widow. 

Vanalstyne, Jr. What has that to do with 

Vanalstyne. Mydearson! {Puts his finger to his nose 
icmking at Vanalstyne, J^ , looks around ; goes, hums to 
Inmself an air. Punches Vanalstyne, Jr., in the ribs ) 
mothe/?^^^ ^"^ objection to a young and i3retty step- 
Vanalstyne, Jr. None in the least. 
Vanalstyne (goes c). I control that raih-oad absolutely 
and I ingoing to freeze out the parson. This is a little fiver 
on my own account. Let her have the stock. I am bu vinir 
1" ^,?^'^."- . ^^l^ Reverend Dr. Murray Hilton thinks he's 
got the inside track by having the widow's soul in charge ; 
but if lean get control of her fortune, his chances of .secur- 
ing her person are not flattering. {Goes to desk r.) It 
may cost me a million dollars ; but I'll get that (smacks 
lips) widow. (Sits R. at desk.) ^ K^matLs 

.i7i'fi^':''^^^^' ^\ . ^^^^^' '^^y ^^^^^ i'<it\^ev-{laugUnq 
shghtly)-tisl stiid before, I haven't the slightest object on 

CornluTi^. Tt ^^'"'^1 f epmother. Indeed, I thin^M ' 
Coinelia Opdyke would be a very charming addition to our 
family circle. (Exits L. 1 e. .^7/. papers in handf 

nfJJn^''TfJ.^^,^ ^''''''''''' ^'^^•' 'T^ ^^^«^'^' folloiving deliber- 
ately). Hang the parson, anyhow ! He's got all the un- 
niarriod ladies of the wealthiest congreiation in New 
\ork to choose from. I'm his richest vest^ryman, too I 
pay nioie for evangelical work and church decoration than 
any other man in the flo(dc. When he told me our i is 
s.onary in Shanghai was on the point of convex ting^x 
more Chinamen and needed ten thousand dollars to do H 



" THE HENRIETTA.'^ 13 

I gave him my check — sent the money by cable — we 
cornered the Presbyterian missionary on those six China- 
men in less than ten days from sight, and now he's after 
my widow. 

MusGRAVE {appearing at door iip l. c. , an open letter in 
his hand. Crosses to c). A letter from Forsdyke & 
Sharpe, our attorneys, sir ; about the suit against Mr. John 
Van Brunt. 

Vanalstyne. Van Brunt? 

MuSGRAVE. They say they can force him into bank- 
ruptcy. 

Vanalstyne (savagelg starting up). Tell them to doit. 
Put on the screws. Crush him to tlie earth. Exact the 
last cent and force him to ruin. At last ! my bitterest 
enemy in the street. (Musgrave goes to small desk up L. c.) 

(Enter Agnes, door l. 1 e.) 

Agnes. Good-morning! (Sfoj^s sJiort, near entrance.) 

Vanalstyne. Ah, Agnes, my little pet ! (Holding out 
his arms with a smile. Agnes runs to him, he Jdsses her.) 

Agnes (patting both Vanalstyne's cheeks). I know we 
haven't any right in this room, but you can't keep me out. 
(Laughing.) 

Vanalstyne (tenderly). I'd as soon drive out a bird 
that flew in at the window. (Agnes sits at his knees 
on hassock.) Tell me all about business, my pet. How are 
new bonnets quoted ? Have you cornered all the other girls 
on those little high-heel shoes? You look very pretty on 
the ponyl bouglit for you, the other day. Do you like him ? 

Agnes. Oh, yes, indeed ; he's very nice. But I've been 
out v/ith sister Rose on more important business. She 
took me with her on her charity calls this morning — and 
— oh — such a poor unhappy family we found all cuddled 
together in a single room — and the furniture sold to buy 
food with — and the baby with measles, and 

Vanalstyne. Get 'em a comfortable flat, my darling ; / 
buy some new furniture — and a new baby — I mean get 'em 
a doctor to repair the old one. That's settled. What else ? 

Agnes. Then there was a poor old woman in another 
place and a 

Vanalstyne (looks at her tenderly). My little girl — 
when your sister Rose came here, I told my son he had 
chosen a good, true woman for a wife ; and soon afterwards 
your poor father left you to us, also. I felt that another 
angel had come to stay with us. Go on with your little 
cliarities. ( Tapping her chin. ) Fix them all up to suit your- 
selves and send the bills to me. But the greatest charity of 
all — stroking her head gently — is to brighten the life and 
soften the heart of a poor old millionaire like me. 



14 " THE HENRIETTA." 

MusGRAVE (rises and crosses to c). The letter to 
your lawyers, sir. (Vanalstyne listens as Musgrave 
reads:) "You will proceed against Mr. Van Brunt as 
rigorously as possible ; exacting every dollar, without 
compromise, and force him into bankruptcy." 

Vanalstyne (savagely). Ah ! ah ! (Agnes looks up in 
his face pleadingly a7id shakes her head ; he looks around 
the room, swalloios several times, looks at Agnes intently ^ 
changing his mind; look^^ip and sj^eaks sharply to Mus- 
grave, with his hand resting on Agnes' head; Musgrave 
returns to desk, l. and ivrites.) Write another ! (An entire 
change of manner, softly.) — Avoid all harsh measures. 
Treat Mr. Van Brunt as gently as possible, and give him 
every chance to recover. (In lively manner) How is the 
canary doing, my girl ? Is she a mother yet ? 

Agnes. Oh, yes! you must see them. Two little ones 
came out of their shells this morning. Come! (Taking 
Vanalstyne's hand in hers and dragging him up to r. c. c. 
door.) 

Musgrave (rising and turning to Vanalstyne). One 
moment, sir ! About the two millions in bonds — St. Louis 
and San Francisco. 

Vanalstyne. Damn St. Louis! (Agnes covers his 
mouth until her hand.) I beg your pardon, my dear! 
(With his hand to his mouth, to Musgrave) — and San 
Francisco, too. (T?t?'ns fo Agnes.) I've got more impor- 
tant business on hand. (Kisses Agnes.) We'll go and 
look at the canaries. 

(Musgrave sits at desk; Vanalstyne exits with Agnes 
up R. Vanalstyne, Jr., enters from d. l. 1 e., ivith pa- 
per in hand, as if to speak to Musgrave. 

(Enter Dr. Parke Wainwiv^ght l. 3, places hat on Mus- 
grave's desk, and crosses to firex)laee, R. 2. Vanalstyne, 
Jr. , sits at his desk. ) 

Vanalstyne, Jr. Ah, Dr. Wainwright, I instructed the 
servant to show you directly to this room. 

Wainwright. And I instructed you not to be in this 
room until I gave you permission to return to business. 

Vanalstyne, Jr. I nmst be here to-day. 

(Musgrave retires to apartment, l. c, closing the door.) 

Wainwright. I am in the very headquarters of my great 
enemy. Death. (Vanalstyne, Jr. , glances at him suddenly.) 
You start at his name. liCt me feel your pulse. ( Crosses to 
Young Nick, l. Takes his un-ist.) You have another Wall 
Street operation on liand. Your pulse hasn't been twice 
alike, two days in succession, for weeks. (Crosses to fire- 



'♦ THE HENRIETTA." 15 

place, R.) You New York business men have invited 
Death into your own houses. The telephone and the stock 
indicator have enabled His Sable Majesty to move up town 
with the rest of the fashionable world ; he used to content 
himself with wearing out your souls and bodies at your 
offices. 

Vanalstyne, Jr. I think you attribute my trouble to 
the wrong source, Doctor. My father, for instance ; he 
is the largest operator in the street, but he is always in 
perfect healtli. 

Wainwright. Your father was bred in the country. 
His nerves were as firm and as cold as steel before he ever 
came to the city. These Leviathans of the Money Market 
all come from quieter scenes of labor in their youth. Wall 
Street has never yet bred its own giants. The furnace- 
bred young men of New York are pigmies in the hands of 
such men ; mere bundles of nerve, that burn themselves 
like the overcharged wires of a battery. Notice the elec- 
tric lights at your club. Every now and then one of 
them fizzles convulsively and goes out. 

Vanalstyne, Jr. I understand. Do you think that I 
am in any real danger ? 

Wainwright. You are doing what hundreds of young 
men are doing in this city to-day : Wearing your life out 
in the greatest gambling hell on earth. There is death in 
the street. Monaco is nothing. The gains and losses are 
settled every day. You dream on your chances night and 
day for weeks. Fighting the tiger ! — bulls and bears are 
much fiercer animals ; the tiger is an angel of mercy. 

Vanalstyne, Jr. I shall take the rest I need as soon 
as I can find time. 

Wainwright. You'll find plenty of time for rest if you 
wait in the grave. Epitaph for a New York man : " He has 
retired from business." {Crosses ^o Young Nick at desk 
and stands at hack of chair.) But I have another matter 
to talk about this morning ; one that pertains neither to 
your health nor to my own profession — except in an acci- 
dental way. I was called to the bedside of a very sick 
woman last night. She was in a higli fever and delirious. 
This morning she became conscious, though still very 
weak. Her name is Gertrude Reynolds. 

Vanalstyne, Jr. Gertrude Reynolds ! Well ! 

Wainwright. What I heard during her delirium and 
what slie said to me afterwards is a professional confi- 
dence, and yet I — I 

Vanalstyne, Jr. I will relieve your embarrassment. 
( Turns and looks up at Doctor. ) Gertrude Reynolds has 
discovered my real name, and the fact that I am a married 
man ; slie has letters in my handwriting, and she threatens 
to send those letters to my wife. 



IQ ♦' THE HENRIETTA." 

Wainwright. You have heard from lier yourself. All 
I intended, all I could have done, was to put you on your 
guard. I have nothing whatever to do w4th your rela- 
tions to this woman. That, of course, is your own affair 
and hers. But your wife loves you, Vanalstyne, with her 
whole heart ; I know how deeply she loves you. Gertrude 
Reynolds is bitter, beyond all reason and control. I can 
hardly blame her, for she is herself a mother. But what 
she threatens to do would be a crime against a sincere and 
devoted woman. If anything can be done to protect your 
wife from the ruin of her domestic happiness, I shall assist 
you to the utmost of my ability. (Crosses to c. and goes' 
to mantel, R. Agnes rims m suddenly, r. c. ) Agnes ! 

Agnes. Doctor Wainwright ! H— s— h ! (Putting her 
finger to her lijjs, then aside.) I was caught that time. 
Bertie saw me. (Looks out of door.) 

Vanalstyne, Jr. I thank you. Doctor. We will see 
what can be done. 

•' Heaven hath no rage like love to hatred turned, 
Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned." 

Agnes (aside). Bertie's coming this way. (She 
dodges info the bay-ivindow behind curtain.) 

(MuSGRAVE enters hurriedly, and remains in door, 
R. L. u. E.) 

MusGRAVE. Watson Flint & Co. report a sudden turn 
in the market, 

Vanalstyne, Jr. Ah ! (Starting to his feet.) I thought 
there was danger to-day. 

MusGRAVE. There's a break to fifty-nine in Keokuk and 
New Mexico. 

Vanalstyne, Jr. Watch the indicator, Musgrave ! We 
have work before us. (Musgrave retires ; Vanalstyne, 
Jr., starts up stage, stoj^s, pids his hand to his heart, and 
staggers. The Doctor steps quickly to him and supports 
him. He recovers. ) It's all right. Doctor ; these never last 
long. I — I am well now. 

Wainwright. Nature adds her warning to mine. You 
must have rest. (A signal on the telephone — loud.) 

Van., Jr. Rest! There's a battle on hand to-day. Do 
you hear the musketry ? (Laughing and moving up stage 
to telephone, supported by Dr. Wainwright.) This is 
life! life! (Signals at telephone; speaks into it.) Hold 
the market at all hazards. Force the figures back to 
sixty-eiglit. Pardon me, Doctor ; call again this after- 
noon. I have no time now, (His hand on door.) Busi- 
ness is business, you know ; and what is rest with wealth 
and power within your grasp ! (Exits R, u. E,) 

Wainwhiight (upstage, looking offL.. after Vanalstyne, 
Jr.) Business is business in New York. It is health, re- 



'' THE HENRIETTA." 17 

ligion, friendship, love — everything. No ; business isn't 
everything even in New York. (Turns and looks offR. U. 
door.) Here is one exception. (Bertie tvalks in sloicly up 
R. c.;heis very neatly and elegantly dressed in morning 
home toilet, his hair parted in the middle, a sirigle glass in 
his eye ; he is smoking a cigarette. He stops up r, c. ; 
Wain WRIGHT sees him.) Good morning, Bertie ! 

Bertie. Doctor — morning ! 

Wainwright. Just up ? 

Bertie. No ; breakfast. 

Wainwright. Half- past eleven. (Looking at watch.) 
Out late last night ? 

Bertie. Club— three o'clock. 

Wainwright. What was going on ? 

Bertie. Nothing. Nothing ever does go on — at our "■^^' 
club — you know ; it's a swell club. 

Wainwright. Merely conversing together till that 
hour. 

Bertie. We never converse at our club. 

Wainwright. Thinking ? 

Bertie. No ; just staying. 

Wainwright. Does your head ache this morning ? 

Bertie. No ; only ApoUinaris. 

Wainwright. M-m. You mustn't smoke too many 
cigarettes. 

Bertie. Last night I smoked two whole ones. 

Wainwright. You're a wild young dog. (Crosses to ^^ 
chair, L.) "* 

Bertie. All of us fellows at the club are wild young dogs. 

Wainwright. Let me feel your pulse. (Bertie walks 
to him very quietly, putting out his hand slowly. Wain- 
wright takes his wrist. ) 

Agnes (stepping out from the curtain and watching 
them). I hope Bertie hasn't over-exerted his system. 

Bertie. Is it beating too fast ? 

Wainwright. I haven't discovered it yet. 

Bertie. Try somewhere else. 

Wainwright. You will never die of too much excite- 
ment, Bertie. 

Bertie. I was afraid I might. We fellows at the club 
lead such a fast life. 

Wainwright (puts his hand on Y^oung Nick's chair l.) 
This chair has a quicker pulse. Your case puzzles me. I 
really don't see how you're going to die at all. You will 
never have energy enough to die a natural death. You'll 
find it very embarrassing one of these days. As to dying 
of love. (Slight start.) Good heavens! I felt a beat 
then ! Two beats ! Anotlier ! Bertie. (Drops Bertie's 
hand, and shakes his finger at him slowly.) You are in 
love. 



18 " THE HENRIETTA." 

Bertie. You doctors are wonderful men. I am in 
love. Did Agnes come into this room a few minutes 
ago? 

Wainwright. Yes, but she disappeared almost imme- 
diately. 

Bertie. I am in love with Agnes. (Agnes gives a 
quick, joyous gasp. The Doctor turns suddenly, stepping 
hack and looking from one to the other. She stands, hang- 
ing her head, abashed.) I have declared my passion by 
accident. 

Wainwright. I think I'd better leave you together. 

Bertie. Thank you. {Walks r. to mantel.) 

(MusGRAVE enters suddenly from apartment up l. c, and 
moves down to the Doctor.) 

MuSGRAVE {apart) . Dr. Wainwright ! Something very 
serious, I fear. Mr. Vanalstyne is lying upon the sofa 
within quite insensible. 

Wainwright {apart, goes to d. l. e. , speaks speech as 
he goes). Bring some water ! Summon a servant! Ask 
his wife to come to the room. {Exits L. u. E. hurriedly.) 

(MusGRAVE hurries out R. Agnes walks down slowly 
across l., her head drooping. She stops c.) 

Agnes. Bertie I 

Bertie. Agnes I 

Agnes. I — you — I — haven't you anything to say, Bertie ? 

Bertie. I've said it. {drosses to c.) 

Agnes. You told Dr. Wainwright that — you — you 
loved me. 

Bertie. I've been trying to say that to you, instead of 
the doctor, for the last six weeks. I've said it to nearly 
everything else in the house, especially to the furniture 
in my room. If there'd been a parrot there, you'd a' 
heard it long ago. When I saw you in the hall a little 
while ago, I suddenly pulled myself together and deter- 
mined to say it to you, at once. But you ran away and 
dodged into this room. What did you run away and 
dodge into this room for ? 

Agnes. Well, now that you've said you love me, I — I — 
don't mind telling you. I had just ittn out of your room. 

Bertie. Out of my room ? 

Agnes. Yes. Haven't you noticed a little bunch of 
rosebuds on your table, every morning, for the last few 
days? 

Bertie. Did you put them there? (Agnes 
" Um-vim.") I threw them all away. 

Agnes. Oh ! 

Bertie. I thought it was the new chambermaid, 



" THE HENRIETTA." 19 

Agnes. Bertie! (Dropping her face into her hands.) 

Bertie. I didn't want to encourage this one. 

Agnes. This one ? (Sharply looking up.) 

Bertie. She has cross eyes and red hair. I did what 
any young man of correct principles would have done. 

Agnes. Albert ! TJie last chambermaid was very 
pretty. Did you keep the rosebuds that she gave you ? 

Bertie. No ; I was equally particular in her case. She 
didn't give me any. 

Agnes. Oh, Bertie ! I'm afraid you're a very wicked 
young man. 

Bertie. That's what we fellows in the club all like the 
ladies to say about us. 

Agnes. But you — you mustn't be wicked, for my sake. 

Bertie. Do you think that you can love me, Agnes, if 
I confess to you the whole truth ? 

Agnes. I — I will bear it. Tell me everything. It is 
best that I should know it now. 

Bertie. I am not wicked — a bit ; and I say tlie prayers 
that mother taught me, every morning, before I go to bed. 

Agnes. Bertie T Bertie! (Running to him and throw- 
ing herself on his breast.) 

Bertie (looking directly over her head, blandly). I 
have confessed all to her, and she still loves me. Agnes, 
I will conceal nothing from you ; I am as innocent as a 
lamb. 

Agnes. My darling ! (Her head, resting lovingly on his 
breast.) I love you all the more for it. 

Bertie. Thank you. I was afraid you wouldn't ; but 
I didn't want to deceive you. We'll get married, and we'll 
live in a little house together, all by ourselves. ( Walking 
aci^oss L. with her.) We'll be as happy as your two canary 
birds in their cage. 

Agnes. Dear Bertie ! 

Bertie. They've got two little ones, haven't they ? 

Agnes (simply). Yes, Bertie. (Goes nj), takes chair 
from Musgrave's desk, btings it down, and places it l. c.) 
But now I want to talk very seriously with you a few mo- 
ments. Sit down. (He sits in chair; she .stands at his 
back, puts her arms around his neck ; he x>ats her hands.) 

Bertie. What is it, Agnes, dear? 

Agnes. When I first ran into your room the other 
morning, to put the rosebuds on your table, I — I didn't 
intend to look at anything ; but I — I couldn't help just — 
just glancing around, you know. There was a whole row 
of pictures on your mantelpiece, and — and others all over 
the room. They were pictures of actresses— and — and 
dancers, Bertie, dear. 

^ Bertie. Yes. We fellows at the club all have pictures 
like that in our rooms, and when we call to see each other 



20 " THE HENRIETTA." 

we look at 'em, and then we wink at each other, and then 
each of us thinks that the other is a devil of a fellow — 
but he isn't. 

Agnes, There was one picture there — I didn't like her 
face at all— and it had her name on, in a lady's handwrit- 
ing — " Henrietta." 

Bertie. Henrietta is the most famous ballet-dancer in 
New York. All of us have her picture. We get them 
from the photographer for fifty cents apiece, but we have 
to pay her business manager five dollars apiece for her 
autograph. I suppose it's cheap enough, for no two of 
'em are alike. 

Agnes (comes l. of chair) . Have you ever seen Hen- 
rietta off the stage ? 

Bertie. Often. Nearly every night, about eleven 
o'clock, half a dozen of us fellows walk out of the club 
one by one, and we meet at the stage-door of the theatre. 
We stand there in a row till Henrietta passes out and gets 
into her carriage. Then we all go back to the club and sit 
there. 

Agnes. I want you to send away all those pictures in 
ycnir room, Bertie, Henrietta's particularly. 

Bertie. I'll burn 'em all up ; Henrietta's particularly. 

Agnes {long pause ; she looks around cautiously, as if 
makiyig up her mind, then suddenly kisses him on top of 
his head) . Thank you. 

Bertie. Welcome. 

Agnes. Now, there's one thing more I want to speak 
about. I'm to be your wife, you know, and I can talk se- 
riously to you. Your father is very angry with you be- 
cause you won't give your attention to business. 

Bertie. I know he is. He left word for me last night 
to meet him in this room as soon as I got up. Father says 
tliat I don't know any more about business than a kitten. 
I don't. A kitten that isn't more familiar with business 
principles than I am would starve. 

Agnes. Business is very easy, Bertie. I can tell you all 
about it. You just speak through the teleplione to a man 
in Wall Street. You say " sixty-five " — or any other num- 
ber you choose — and a few weeks afterwards the man 
gives you a lot of money. 

Bertie. That does seem easy enough. 

(Enter Nicholas Vanalstyne, r. c, with bundles of 
bonds and written checks. Comes down R. c.) 

Vanalstyne. Oh ! — you are here. 

Bertie. Yes, father. (Rising. Stands at chair.) John 
said you wanted to see me this morning. 



♦' THE HENRIETTA." 21 

Vanalstyne. Yes, I do ; Agnes, my dear, I wish to speak 
with this young man alone. 

Agnes. Mayn't I stay, if you please, Mr. Vanalstyne? 

Vanalstyne. Certainly, if you like ; there's no secret 
about the matter. {Begins looking over' papers on desk, r.) 

Agnes. Bertie and I have been talking about business, 
sir. 

Vanalstyne. M — m. I dare say you could teach him 
a good deal more than he knows. 

Agnes. Bertie would like to go into business. {Ex- 
chayiging nods ivith Bertie. ) 

Bertie. Yes, sir. I have decided to go into business at 
once. 

Vanalstyne. Have you, young man ! {Turyiing toivards 
Bertie, with a folded paper in his hand. Comes to c.) I 
have struggled with you in vain, and I am tired. You are 
a hopeless idiot. (Agnes stores.) 

BERtiE. I cannot deny it, sir. 

Vanalstyne. The fact that many other fathers in New 
York have been blessed in a similar way is no consolation to 
me. Thank heaven ! I have one son who is an honor to our 
family and to my name. The colossal fortune which I 
have accumulated shall be my monument, sir. I shall 
leave him my entire property, without exception, and he 
will continue the vast business interest which I have ac- 
quired. As for you, sir, your monthly allowance ceases 
from this date. I have made an arrangementwith our busi- 
ness agents, Messrs. Watson Flint & Co., under which they 
will give you a certain amount in cash. You may do what 
you please with it ; but it ought to last long enough for 
you to establish yourself in a decent position where you 
can make your own living. Beyond this, sir, you shall 
have no part or parcel of my property either while 1 am 
living or after my death. 

Bertie. Father ! — I — (half choking) — I'm sure I'm — 
I'm — very grateful to you — for — for giving me anything ; 
and for — for — all you've given me before. (Dropping into 
chair, l.) 

Agnes, (ci^osses to c. hehhid Bertie ; turns to Nick, 
loith her hack to Bertie, i^emaining near his chair. Sud- 
denly). And I say that you are a wicked, hard-hearted 
old man. I love Bertie, whether you do or not, and I'm 
going to be his wife. (Turning to Bertie and putting her 
arms about his neck. ) 

Vanalstyne. You ! You are going to be his wife, 
Agnes ? Are you in earnest ? 

Agnes. Yes, indeed, I'm in earnest. I just this mo- 
ment told him I would. I've loved him for a long time, 
too; and I've been waiting for him to ask me. Bertie'll 



22 " THE HENRIETTA." 

make a dear, good husband ; and I don't care whether he 
has any money or not. 

Vanalstyne. Well !— as you please, if you will insist on 
being a beggar's wife. (Advancing and extending draft ; 
stops and looks at it ; extends it to Bertie, icho starts to 
take it ; he draws it hack again, looks at Agnes, then at 
Bertie, as if undecided; looks again, offers it again; 
coughs. Agnes ivorks sloicly to l. of Bertie.) But if you 
are going to be married — I — suppose you'll need a little 
more. (Tears up the draft and returns to desk, R. ; sits 
ivriting another draft.) 

Agnes. Dear Bertie! 

Bbktie (holding her hand). Agnes. 

(Dr. Wainwright opens door from ajmrtment, stejiping 
in. Enter Rose Vanalstyne, up r. c. in bonnet, etc. 
She comes in with an anxious quick motion, looks around 
a second, then hurries to the Doctor, up l. c, speak- 
ing quickly in an undertone, apart.) 

Rose. Doctor ! My husband ! I was away. Tell me 
the worst. 

Wainwright. Be calm. There is no danger now ; he 
is sleeping quietly. 

Rose. Oh ! (She moves past him to door of apartment ; 
turns ; looks gratefidly at the Doctor. ) You liave saved his 
life. (She takes his hand in her oum to kiss it, he stops her, 
she looks up gratefidly and says "I tliank you, I thank 
you," then goes quietly into the apartment, looking ear- 
nestly before her. ) 

Wainwright (looks after her). His false and worthless 
life ! I have saved it, for her sake ; and I would liave 
given my own life gladly — for one loving glance from her 
eyes. (He turns up to ivindow, where he stands ivith his 
hack to the audience, looking ovt ; his hand on the curtain. 
Vanalstyne rises with the new draft ; crosses l.) 

Vanalstyne (gruffly, giving Bertie the draft). There you 
are ! sir. (Bertie looks up blankly at his father, and takes 
check mechanically, withovt looking at it, in his left hand 
and lets hand fall on his knee. Re-crosses to desk, R. , sits 
and takes up the inventory. ) D — d young pauper ! I'll 
turn him adrift on the world. 

Agnes (at back of Bertie's chair, her arms around his 
neck). We'll live in a little cottage together, Bertie. I'll 
do tlie work and you can help me. (Comes down l. of 
him.) And we won't need any money. 

Bertie. Yes. 

Vanalstyne (looking over inventory). Thirty-nine 
millions. 



'* THE HENRIETTA." 23 

Bertie. We'll live like two canary birds and we'll have 
just about as much to eat. 

Vanalstyne. Fifty-five millions. (Bertie starts sud- 
denly to his feet looking at the draft.) 

Bertie. Agnes ! ( Turns to Agnes and points at 
check.) Five — hundred — thousand — dollars. {They turn 
towards Vanalstyne ?<;/io is intent on inventory.) Father ! 

Vanalstyne. Not a cent more — not one cent. [Turns 
savagely towards them and strikes desk heavily ivith right 
hand.) 

quick curtain. 

2d picture. 

(Bertie goes behind Vanalstyne's chair a little to c. 
Agnes runs to Vanalstyne. Kneels on ottoman. 
Vanalstyne takes her face in his hands ayid kisses 
her. 

Bertie. Father ! Father ! Father. (Vanalstyne shakes 
his head at him gruffly and pays no attention to him.) 

CURTAIN, 



ACT 11. 

DRAWING-ROOM OF VANALSTYNE MANSION. 

LIGHT FANCY. 

3 wings. 

1 set door. 

1 large arch. 

1 large square opening. 

Conservator}' backing back of arch. 

1 light fancy practical window. 
Street backing beliind window. 
Interior backing back of set door. 
Mirror beliind mantel. 

20-incli platform in large arch 6x8. 
Steps from platform on to stage. 
Light fancy borders. 

Note. — Make this set as rich and as light and delicate as 
possible. 

DRAWING-ROOM FURNITURE. 

Old gold or rich blue drugget down. 

Large handsome rug. 

6 white rugs. 

Handsome gilt or brass fire set, dogs, fender, etc. 

Light mantel. 

2 handsome light clocks (alike). 
2 pairs of vases (alike). 

2 sets of handsome candelabra, for mirror effect, onyx 
and gold. 

1 banner screen (gold frame, light). 

2 pair of large rich curtains on gilt poles for doors. 
2 gold pedestals. 

4 large pieces of statuary (bisque or gilt or silver). 
Plenty of light rich bric-a-brac. 

1 large gilt easel and picture. 

1 large four foot lamp and shade (brass). 

1 white and gold sofa. 

2 light sofa-pillows, 

24: 



♦' THE HENRIETTA." 25 

1 small light sofa (salmon), gold frame. 

1 gold frame louiigiug-chair. 
4 small gold chairs. 

2 light gold corner chairs. 

2 handsome ottomans (2 feet, light color). 
1 handsome square gold table with vase or statuary on it. 
4 small round gilt or brass tables. 
1 rich gold cabinet. 
8 large tropical plants in pots. 

Bundle of letters wrapped in white tissue paper, and 
tied with blue ribbon. 

Tablet and pencil for Lady Mary. 

1 written letter, sealed, for Musgrave. 

1 cigar for Old Nick. 

1 cigar for Dr. Hilton. 

1 letter for Mrs. Opdyke. 

1 letter for Old Nick. 

1 vase to break. 

Parlor on mantel L. for Old Nick. 

1 bundle of burnt letters to hand on at end of act. 

Note, — The furniture and hangings for this scene must 
be rich and delicate in color. Avoid all reds, blues, dark- 
greens, blacks, etc. Everything must be light and of the 
richest and most expensive description. All furniture 
overstuffed and no dark frames. Use no bronzes or any- 
thing dark. All bric-a-brac light and delicate. 



GAS PLOT. 

DRAWING-ROOM OF VANALSTYNE MANSION. 

House, foots and borders full up. 
8 or 10 light chandeliers down and lighted. 
Bunch lights R. and L. 2 E, 
Bunch light L. 3 E, 
Blue bunch back of window L. u. E. 
Gas log lighted L. 2 E. 
Blue strip light back of conservatory R. 
Statue lights on balustrade R., lighted. 
6 colored globes for statue lights must be blue, yellow 
and pink and must be small and delicate in tint. 



2C " THE HENRIETTA." 

CALCIUM PLOT. 



Open light blue medium behind window L. 
Open liglit green tin-ough conservatory R. 
Open blue beliind cut conservatory R, 
Red medium behind lireplace L. 



MUSIC CUES. 

Music pj) at cue for end of act and swell to ff when 
Bertie throws letters in the fire. Keep up strain ff for 
two or more pictures. 



" THE HENRIETTA." 27 



ACT II. 

Drawing-room in Vanalstyne's residence. Conservatory 
up R. and R. c. , raised about two feet six inches, with 
opening and railing, and. with steps up at r. c. Recep- 
tion-room up L. Log-lighted. Sofa up c. , ivith two 
cushions. Cabinet r., urith bric-a-brac. Ottomans r. c. 
and L. c, front. Ornamental tables up r. c. and up l. c. 
Lamp lighted 07i cabinet and table L. c. 

Enter Watson Flint, as curtain rises, from reception- 
room up L. c. He is a man of about thirty, quick, firm and 
decisive in speech, gentlemanly in manner ; evening dress. 

Flint {looking back as he enters). Do not disturb 
them at table! I will wait, {Walks down. Enter Mvs- 
GRAVE down R. from conservatory; tvalks dozen r. c. 
YiA^T comes down c.) Ah, Musgrave ! The family are still 
at dinner, James tells me ! 

Musgrave. I presume the gentlemen have got to their 
cigars, sir, if you care to join them. 

Flint. No. But I wish to have a few moments' chat 
with Mr. Vanalstyne, Junior. You might look into the 
smoking-room. If he's at liberty, kindly tell him that I 
am here. {Goes to R. c.) 

Musgrave. Yes, sir. {Stai^ting across; stops.) Oh — 
Mr. Flint ; I — I wish to — to — I {Hesitating.) 

Flint. Well ? 

Musgrave. I was merely going to say that I — I — this 
Henrietta Mine operation — I — I hope it is — doing well, sir — 
and — and — I trust it is perfectly safe, sir. 

Flint {turns to Musgrave). Musgrave, I have never 
known you before to take the slightest personal interest in 
any operation your employer was engaged in. I trust you y 
haven't taken to thinking ; a private secretary who thinks 
is a dangerous man. 

Musgrave. Believe me, I have always made it a rule 
never to think. I was only expressing the hope that — 

Flint. Never allow yourself to liope, Musgrave. That 
is another excellent rule for men in your position. It is 
so difficult to hope without thinking. {Passi7ig r. and up 
to conservatory.) 

Musgrave {passing l.). You are quite right, sir. 
(Flint examines curios at cabinet. Musgrave stops up 
L. c. Aside.) I have allowed myself to hope a little. 
Fool ! I have yielded to temptation at last, after with- 
standing it so many years. Every dollar tliat I have saved 
is invested in this Henrietta Mine speculation, and I 
haven't slept a night since I took the risk. {At door l.) 



28 '' THE HENRIETTA." 

Not one hour of my old comfortable sleep J Not one hour ! 
(Exit up L.) 

Flint {looks off after Musgrave, untli right foot on 
first step). The old private secretary has been siJeculat- 
Ing. My Uncle Vanalstyne ought to know about it, but 
he doesn't. That is his affair, not mine. I never allow 
anything to be an affair of mine that doesn't concern my 
own particular interest. It's an excellent rule. Tlie in- 
terests of Watson Flint & Co. are quite enough for any one 
man to look after ; and I have them in charge. 

(Enter Vanalstyne, Jr., wp l.) 

Vanalstyne, Jr. Anything new, cou.sin? (Comincf 
doiun l. ) 

Flint. I have something to say that will interest you. 

Vanalstyne, Jr. What is it? (Goes to mantel l.) 

Flint. The matter interests me also as the principal 
broker of your father and yourself. (Young Nick motions 
him to take chair, then sits on ottoman L. Taking chair 
up R. c. and moving down c, sits.) During the whole 
progress of this Henrietta Mining and Land Company op- 
eration there has been, as you know, a powerful enemy 
working in the dark and secretly obstructing the move- 
ments of your father at every point. 

Vanalstyne, Jr. Yes. Father has frequently said that 
he felt tlie hand of such an enemy, but he has found it 
quite impossible as yet to discover who it is. 

I'LINT. I have discovered liim. 

Vanalstyne, Jr. Indeed ! Who is it ? (Turns to Flint 
quietly.) 

Flint. Yourself. (Vanalstyne, Jr., starts. Flint 
umtclies him quietly.) 

Vanalstyne, Jr. May I ask houj you have come to 
such a remarkable conclusion ? 

Flint. You may. At a critical moment, about six 
weeks ago, you were struck insensible wliile directing me 
at the telephone. I was obliged to take matters into my 
own hands. From wha-t I then learned and knowledge 
that lias come to me since I have arrived at the exact 
truth. There was a sudden break in Keokuk and New 
Mexico on that day, but it was premature and would have 
exposed your plans. You are at the head of a powerful 
bear clique, bent on ruining your own father in this great 
Henrietta Mine scheme. With his own son as his secret 
enemy, even your father's enormous fortune may melt 
away. If the plot succeeds, you, not he, will be the Master 
of Wall Street. 

Vanalstyne, Jr. (aside). The Master of Wall Street! 
(Aloud.) Well ! Business is business, cousin. Wliat are 



" THE HENRIETTA." 29 

you going to charge me for this knowledge ? V/e will let 
you into the speculation. How much ? 

Flint {rises, with hand on back of chair). Pardon 
me. I never speculate under any circumstances whatever. 
I am simply a member of the New York Stock Exchange. 

1 take my regular commission on all orders ; nothing more, 
nothing less — one-eighth of one per cent. 

Vanalstyne, Jr. I must pay you for your silence in 
solid cash. (Looks at him inquisitively and rises.) 

Flint. No. I have never yet done anything dishonor- 
able as a business man, and I never shall. 

Vanalstyne, Jr. Do you intend to inform my father? 

Flint. Certainly not. You are both my customers. It 
is quite immaterial to me whether you swindle each other 
or not. I shall continue to execute whatever orders either 
of you may give me at the usual commission — one-eighth 
of one per cent. 

Vanalstyne, Jr. You didn't mention this to me for 
nothing. 

Flint (jnds chair back to jilace, and comes down c). I 
have been intending to speak to you on another subject 
also this evening. Your wife's little sister, Agnes 

Vanalstyne, Jr. You are in love with her. 

Flint. Yes. 

Vanalstyne, Jr. And I am her guardian. (Crosses 

2 to mantel. ) 

Flint. I once had hopes, as you know, that Agnes would 
consent to be my wife. But since your brother Bertie 
has returned from college 

Vanalstyne, Jr. They do seem to understand each oth- 
er, though I don't know that it's a regular engagement, yet. 
I see wliat you mean. You are too honorable a business 
man to accept money, or a share, for your silence, but you 
will force me to use my influence as Agnes' guardian and 
as the husband of her elder sister, in your favor. 

Flint. Not at all. But if you are still afraid that I 
will betray you to your father, after my sincere assurance 
that I will not— that is your affair, not mine. ( Goes R.) 

(Enter Rose up l., goes down c. and turns to Flint.) 

Rose. Watson, you should have come in time for dinner. 

Flint (boics to Rose). I only dropped in on business. 

Vanalstyne, Jr. Rose, my dear, we were just talking 
about Agnes. 

Flint. You know liow deeply interested I am in that 
subject. 

Rose. I am afraid, Watson— (shaking her head)— that 
I must give up the hopes I once had ; and you must give 
up your hopes, too. You know that you have been my 



30 " THE HENRIETTA." 



1 



choice from the first. I am sure you would have made 
Agnes a good, true husband ; and I am very anxious 
for lier future. But the dear little girl's heart has found 
another mate. (Agnes runs in up l.) 

Agnes. Bertie! (He stops suddenly. Abashed.) Beg 
pardon. I — I thought Bertie was here. Good evening, 
Mr. Flint. (Agnes and Flint hoiv to each other.) 

Rose. Agnt^s, dear ! Show Watson the four new 
pictures tliat came to-day. 

Flint. I shall be delighted to go to the gallery with 
you. (Cr*os.ses to Agnes L. u. Rose crosses fo R. ) 

Agnes. Very well ; come. The prettiest is one by 
Meissonier. It's called "The Young Girl's Choice." (Go- 
ing out, up L. c; followed by Flint. Bows to Rose.) 

Rose (looks after him l. u.). I wish for Agnes' sake that - 
she had chosen your cousin Watson for her husband, in- 
stead of your brother Bertie. Bertie is kind and good- 
natured ; but he has got among such a fast set of young 
men. 

Vanalstyne, Jr. I've had some misgivings on that 
ground, myself, Rose. (Crosses to L. c.) Bertie is a little 
wild. 

(Enter Dr. Parke Wainwright up l.) 

Rose (turns and sees Dr. Wainwright). Dr. Wain- 
wright. 

Wainwright. Mrs. Vanalstyne ! (Stopping up c. and 
bowing to Rose and Vanalstyne, Jr.) I owe you an 
apology for not keeping my engagement. 

Vanalstyne, Jr. There was an empty chair for you 
at the table. 

Rose. Professional duties, I suppose. 

Wainwright. Yes ; a very urgent case. (Comes doum c.) 

Rose. A physician's time is never his own. By the 
way. Doctor, how is the poor sick woman that wrote to 
me— Gertrude Reynolds, I think her name was. (YoUNG 
Nick starts, exchanges quick glance ivith Doctor. The7i to 
Vanalstyne, Jr.) She wrote, asking me to call upon her. 
She did not say why, though she is not in want, and we 
are perfect strangers. Dr. Wainwright insisted that I 
should not go to see her ; he said it might be dangerous 
to the rest of our family. How is she to-day ? 

Wainwright. It was her case that kept me away. She 
died— (glancing at Vanalstyne, Jr.)— about an hour ago. 

Rose. Poor woman ! I wisli I had seen her — in spite 
of your prohibition, Doctor. ( Turning iq) stage r.) 

Vanalstyne, Jr. (aside). That danger is past. (Turn- 
ing to mantel and looking into the fire.) Poor girl ! She 
did love me. 



THE HENRIETTA." 31 



(Enter Musgrave itp l. with a note and a 'packet. 
Comes to c.) 

Musgrave. Mrs. Vanalstyne, a woman just called. 
(Rose comes down r. t. with this packet and a letter. 
Hands packet and letter to Rose.) She said there was no 
answer, but a dying woman had made her promise to 
bring them. I assured her that I would give them to you 
personally. She lias gone. 

Rose. They are for me ? 

Musgrave. Yes, madam. {Orosses and emits r. door. 
Wainwright and Vanalstyne, Jr., turn and watch her.) 

Rose. A dying woman! (Goes njj stage and lays 
the packet on the table r. and breaks the envelojjc of the 
letter, moving down R. c. Vanalstyne, Jr., and Wain- 
wright watch her intently as .she takes out the letter. She 
turns a page reading signature.) "Gertrude Reynolds." 
(Wainwright crosses up stage to the table r. c, takes 
up the packet and places it in his breast-pocket. Vanal- 
styne, Jr. , is still ivatching Rose intently but quietly. She 
reads ; staggering back as she does sj, under emotion and 
in confusion ; glances at Vanalstyne, Jr., a^id at the 
letter ; then suddenly turns up stage to table.) The packet ! 
Dr. Wainwright ! — that was lying on this table ; you have 
it ; give it to me. 

Wainwright (quietly) . Will you let me read that letter ? 

Rose. Yes (Giving it to him. Both come doivn room 
R. c. Doctor c. above Rose. Nick remains l.) You 
know the whole truth, whatever it may be. 

Wainwright {having glanced through the letter). Will 
you allow me to read this aloud ? (Looks at Nick intently. ) 
Your husband should know its contents as well as you. 

Rose. Yes ; he should. (Her gla^ice fixed on Vanal- 
styne, Jr. ,who stands at mantel, immovable and impassive. ) 

Wainwright (aside). No name is mentioned ; we may 
save her poor heart yet. He must think while I read. 
(Aloud, reading.) "I have had bitter and wicked 
thoughts ; but they have all passed away in the shadows 
of approaching death. I think now only of my child, not 
of revenge on him, but he must be sacrificed for her, I 
know how good you are ; Dr. Wainwright has told me ; 
and he has tried to save you from tliis. But a dying 
mother appeals to you. It is my last desperate chance. 
Do all you can for my little one. The doctor will tell you 
where she is. The letters to me from her father, wliich I 
send with this, will tell you the rest. You know the hand- 
writing well. Gertrude Reynolds." 

Rose. The packet of letters ! [Starts towards Doctor 
quickly. He makes a motion as if to give her the packet.) 



32 " THE HENRIETTA." 

Van., Jr. (turns and speaks quickly). Will you kindly 
leave Rose and me together a few moments, Doctor? 

WainWright. It is your right to have the letters, 
madam. They were sent to you. If you insist upon it, 
after an interview with your husband, I will give them to 
you. {Exit up L. Rose drops upon the ottoman, r. c, her 
face in her hands, sobbing aloiid.) 

Van., Jr. {crosses to c. Looks around room, then at 
Rose). Rose, I need hardly say that I am sorry this expo- 
sure has come at last. I would have concealed it from you 
entirely, but I may as well speak frankly to you now. I 
have known of this affair from the first. (Rose looks up 
suddenly.) You are quite right. It will be better for 
Agnes' future for her to marry Watson Flint, instead of 
{turning fidl face to audience) my brother Bertie. 

Rose. Bertie V 

Van. , Jr. I ought to have told you about it long ago, 
when Agnes was first becoming interested in him. But 
you'll forgive me, my dear old girl {moving toward her, 
extending arms) , won't you ? 

Rose. Forgive you ! {Sp>ringing up and falling into his 
arms, crying.) Forgive j^ou ! 

Van., Jr. One doesn't like to stand in the way of his 
own brother's happiness, you know. But I should have 
told you, for your sister's sake. Come, come; don't cry; 
don't cry. {Pats her on the back consolingly.) 

Rose. I — I'm not crying, dear ; I — I'm laughing. I 
don't know which I'm doing. {Buries her head on his 
shoulder. ) 

Van. , Jr. You do forgive me ? 

Rose. Forgive you ? It's you that must forgive me. 
{Breaks away slightly.) I — I thought — no — I won't speak 
it — my darling ! {Resumes position in his ar^ms.) I am so 
happy ! so happy ! But I haven't any right to be. It is 
very selfish of me. {Turns away again.) Poor Agnes! 
Oh, my darling! {Rushing into his arms, conclusively. 
Enter Mrs. Cornelia Opdyke, up l. c. Laughs outside.) 
I am so happy ! so happy ! (Van., Jr., kisses her.) 

Cornelia. Oh! {Stoijping up c.) I beg your pardon. 
(Starts to go to conservatory. Rose starts R. Young Nick 
L. Cornelia comes down c. a little. ) 

Rose. Cornelia! (Starting ujd.) Ha — ha — ha — ha — 
lia ! You've caught us. I— I didn't intend to run away 
from you for so long a time. Oh, my dear Cornelia ! 
(Going to her, up r. c.) I've never felt so happy in all my 
life — I — I mean I'm miserable. I must go to my room for 

a moment. (Going l., laughs.) Ha— ha— ha — ha 

(Drops her face into her hands, crying. Exit up L. Laugh- 
ing and crying hysterically until well off.) 

Cornelia (looks off after her, then turns full to Nick 



" THE HENRIETTA." 33 

ivho stands ivith hack to audience). What a scandal in 
New York society ! I saw your wife in your arms. But ^ 
»you can trust me perfectly. I won't tell anybody. I'll 
tell 'em it was somebody else's wife. 

Van., Jr. Will you pardon me for leaving you alone, 
Mrs. Opdyke? (Crosses to c. and stops. Bows to Cor- 
nelia.) Rose is very nervous to-night. 

Cornelia. Certainly ! Everybody knows how devoted 
you are to her — and other ladies. (Goes doivn r. a7id bows 
sarcastically. ) 

Van., Jr. (aside. Looks at her angrily and goes up L. c). 
I'd better be with her for a while. She may need my ad- 
vice — about my brother and Agnes. (Bows to Cornelia. 
Exit up L. ) 

Cornelia (goes up l. c, looks ojf after Yov^g Nick, then 
comes doivn c). What right has a man like tliat to kiss 
his wife? When 7ny husband was alive, and he asked me 
for a kiss, I told him I didn't want him to be untrue to the 
rest. Heigho ! (Sighing and looking doivn.) There are 
plenty of pretty women with him now. (Goes r. c, 
laughing heartily. ) 

(Enter Nicholas Vanalstyne up l. , hurriedly. Sees Cor- 
nelia and stops.) 

Vanalstyne (aside) . The widow is alone. 

Cornelia (doivn r. , seeing him). The gentlemen have 
finished their cigars. 

Vanalstyne (comes down l. c). The Reverend Dr. 
Hilton is still smoking with the young men. I gave him 
the biggest cigar in the house. It'll take him half an hour 
to smoke it. I took the smallest. (Aside.) Twist on the 
parson ! 

Cornelia. Do you never smoke in the drawing-room ? 
(Crosses to him, c.) 

Vanalstyne. Oh, yes ; I'm a widower. But I was 
afraid that you might (Bows to her. ) 

Cornelia. I like it exceedingly. 

Vanalstyne. Oh, thank you ! Then 111 light a big one. 
(Goes to mantel, takes match from match-safe ; attempts to 
scratch it on mantel ; it ivill not light ; steals a glance at 
Cornelia, then covertly scratches it on his trousers, and 
lights cigar, and puffs violently. Aside.) Another twist 
on the parson. I get my smoke and the widow, too. 
(Turns his back to fire.) 

Cornelia (comes l. and sits on ottoman). Mr. Vanal- 
styne, I feel that I ought to thank you, as well as my dear 
old friend Rose, for her kind invitation to visit here a few 
weeks, while my own house is undergoing repairs. 

Vanalstyne. Don't mention it. I gave her no rest till 
she — I would say — I was delighted when she told rae she'd 

3 



34: " THE HENRIETTA." 

invited you. I trust there's a lot to do to your house — that 
is — I hope you won't have much trouble. 

Cornelia. About two weeks' work, the contractor tells 
me. 

Vanalstyne (aside). I'll bribe him to make it ten. 
Her house is next door to the parsonage. 

Cornelia. I have settled down here already, as com- 
fortable as if this were my own home. 

Vanalstyne. It is, madam ! I mean — it ought to be ; 
it must be — by Jove, madam, it shall be ! 

Cornelia (retiring before him, r., he following her). 
Sir! 

Vanalstyne (still approaching her). Sell your own 
house ! Rent it ! Burn it ! Blow it up ! 

(Enter Hilton, l. Comes dow7i between Old Nick and 
Cornelia.) 

Hilton. A— h— e— m ! 

Vanalstyne (sees Hilton. Aside). I'd like to blow 
him up — witli dynamite. (Returning, L. Aloud.) Have 
you finished that cigar already ? 

Hilton. It occurred to me, that if Mrs. Opdyke had no 
objection, I might venture to finish it here. 

Vanalstyne. She hates it. (Notices his own cigar, and 
tosses it into fire.) 

Cornelia. I just told Mr. Vanalstyne that I enjoy it. 

Hilton. Then I'll retain my cigar. (Old Nick starts 
and looks in fire as if to recover his cigar. ) 

Van. Twist on Me! (Steps away from fire, and puts 
both hands in his pockets.) 

Hilton. All the ladies of my congregation know that 
I am fond of smoking. Dear creatures ! My study is 
quite a museum of embroidered slippers and smoking 
caps. Kind, charitable souls ! They are devoted to me — 
I mean — to the church. You must visit my study some 
day, Mrs. Opdyke. (Turns to Cornelia.) 

Van, (aside). Not after she becomes Mrs. Vanalstyne. 

Hilton. But perhaps you will walk into the conserva- 
tory with me, Mrs. Opdyke. I can smoke tliere with a 
clearer conscience ; and I should be glad to discuss the 
subject which we mentioned at dinner. You remarked 
(crosses to her) that you were deeplj'^ impressed with my 
sermon ^n the duty of distributing one's earthly posses- 
sions among the poor. 

Van, (trying to attract his attention). Do you want me 
to buy some more of that stock for you, Hilton ? 

Hilton, Eli ? Oh ! Pardon me one moment. (Bows 
to Cornelia and crosses to Old Nick, l.) 

Van. (aside). I suppose he's buying stock to distribute 



" THE HENRIETTA." 35 

among the poor. (Cornelia goes up r. and looks in 
conservatory.) 

Hilton (opar^ fo Van alstyne). We were interrupted 
in the smoking-room. You received a note from me this 
afternoon about the Henrietta speculation ? 

Van. (feels for letter on outside of coat pocket). No — 
3'es ; the servant handed me a letter from you just before 
I went in to dinner. I haven't read it yet. 

Hilton. It was delayed. Do you think you could place 
say ten thousand dollars more for me, to advantage ? 

Van. Oh, yes ! I can place it — to advantage. (Aside.) 
In my own bank account, if he doesn't drop the widow. 

Hilton. You are very kind. We'll talk about it later 
in the evening-. (Cornelia cowes doicn r. Then to Cor- 
nelia, retmming r.) My remarks in the sermon (Nick 
falls suddenly on ottoman) on the universal struggle in 
America for mere worldly fortune — especially the growing 
tendency in New York tov^ards speculative gambling — 
impressed you particularly, you told me. 

Cornelia. Your sermons bring tears to the eyes of 
every woman in the congregation. (They go up r. to con- 
servatory. ) 

Van. (aside). That's all he writes 'em for. They bring 
tears to my eyes. They cost us two hundred dollars 
apiece. (Rises.) 

Cornelia. Alit (Suddenly up r. c.) Just a moment, 
please. (She 7'uns doivn across L. Hilton stands at cab- 
inet R., looking at a vase. Cornelia speaks #0 Vanalstyne 
apart.) I want to ask you about something, Mr. Vanal- 
styne — something very odd. Do you know anything of a 
— a woman named " Henrietta"? 

Van. "Henrietta"? (Looking at her keenly; then 
aside. ) She's after a pointer on the Henrietta Mine deal. 
(Aloud.) No, I don't know any woman of that name. 

Cornelia. Oh, I thought you might. That's all. (Cor- 
nelia says, " That's all." Old Nick repeats, " That's all." 
Exchange glances between them, h.alf laughingly. Turns 
back, stops c, and looks from Hilton to Vanalstyne. 
TJien aside.) I liappen to be aware that they both know a 
young woman of that name. (Aloud.) Come, Doctor. 
(Starts to go up r. to conservatory.) We will discuss the 

beauties of Henrietta (At the conservatory steps 

Hilton looks around sharply, dropping the vase, which is 
broken. Looks aghast at what he lias done.) I mean — of 
Christian charity — in the conservatory. (She goes up the 
steps R. c. to conservatory , disappearing ; laughing heartily. 
Hilton folloivs her ; he stops at the top, looking back at 
Vanalstyne. The latter ivalks up across r.) 

Van. She's dropped on the Henrietta Mine business. 
(At foot of conservatory steps with Hilton.) If we don't 



36 *' THE HENRIETTA." 

put a stop to that, all the women in New York will know 
about it, and the whole operation will be a failure. We 
must get her off the track some way. Meet me in my pri- 
vate office. 

Hilton. I will leave the widow in about ten minutes— 
D. V. (ExUr.) 

Ya^. {hands in his 2)ockets). He'd better— D. Q. (Look- 
ing at his watch.) It'll be a serious tiling if a woman gets 
hold of this big deal. Whenever Mary's mother reads one 
of my business letters, I lose a railroad or two the next 
week. (Comes doimic.) She lifted forty thousand dol- 
lars out of me herself once, on a pointer she found in my 
pocket, wliile I was asleep. When I got the screws on 
old Van Brunt, for three million dollars, it was because he 
sent his broker's wife an order for stocks, and her husband 
a love-letter ; he got 'em mixed. I'll read Hilton's letter 
to me now. (Taking letter from j^ocket and opening it.) 
He wants to go in deeper. (Reads. ) "My dear Cornelia. " 
bli ? (Looking at envelope. Holds letter in one hand and 
envelope m other.) "Nicholas Vanalstyne, Esq." They 
don't match. (Sits on hassock l.) By thunder ! lie must 
have sent Mrs. Opdyke the letter about tlie Henrietta 
Mine. " My dear Cornelia." If he's got far enough along 
to address her that way, it looks rather blue for me. 
(Beads.) " My dear Cornelia— If this term, in addressing 
you, is more warmly affectionate than our short acquaint- 
ance would seem to justify, remember that I am your 
pastor." Now, let me see t Mrs. Opdyke has received liis 
letter to me about Henrietta, and after reading it she 
thinks Henrietta is a woman. Hilton and I will agree on 
a story fitting that state of things, and I'll get him to tell 
11. (Rises, goes to c.) I don't think I'd better let him 
know that she has read his letter ; it might embarrass 
him. 1 11 tell him I mislaid it, and ask him what lie wrote 
to me. I wonder if he said anything that would make it 
awkward for him, if Henrietta ivere a woman ? If lie did 
—so mucli the worse for the parson— and so much the 
better for me. (Walking up c. ; he looks out.) There 
comes Mary, with my new son-in-law ; just arrived to-day. 
How the devil that girl picked up that little Englisli lord 
—all by herself, without a mother— is a mystery to me. 
(Moving dmon n.) Bertie is delighted. He can take him 
to the club, and set him up among liis fellow Anglo- 
maniacs. He's the original article. (Starts to go off 

(Enter Lady Mary, l. u.) 

hADY Mary (Mary sa7j.s) . Papa, dear! Here's Lord 
Arthur. ( M hich stojjs Vanalstyne ; coines back r. c.) 



*' THE HENRIETTA." 37 

{Enter Lord Arthur Trelawney, up l. c. The latter 
walks down L. He is a little fellotv, exquisitely dressed, 
ivith a single glass and hair parted in the middle. 
When Lord Arthur is ivell down.) 

Vanalstyne (aside). I wonder if Mary smuggled that 
in or paid duty on it ! 

Lady Mary. Papa, dear ! Lord Arthur was just ask- 
ing me wliether all the people in America are rich, or only 
some of them. 

Vanalstyne. There are occasional exceptions. 

Lady Mary. I have been in Europe so long myself, I 
really can't tell Lord Arthur anything about America, 
you know. 

Vanalstyne. Oli, that girl's ears are longer than 
her memory. (Walks l. He stojjs abruptly before 
Lord Arthur, l. c, looking him up and down. Lord 
Arthur pa.s.ses r. Vanalstyne ivatches him, then tarns 
l., speaking aside.) I'll be stepping on that some day. 

Lady Mary. Oh, papa, dear ! (Comes doivn to Vanal- 
styne, L.) I want to get your advice. You gave me fifty 
thousand dollars for my wedding present, you know ; you 
cabled it with your blessing the day Lord Arthur and I 
were married. What would you advise me to put it into? 
Is anything booming just now? How's the market? — 
bullish or bearish ? Any chance to get a twist on the 
shorts? I don't want to salt it down, you know. I'd like 
to take a flyer on one of the fancy stocks. Can you give 
me a pointer ? (Note tablet and pencil, looking at Vanal- 
styne out of the corner of her eyes. Vanalstyne looks at 
her qnizzingly.) 

Vanalstyne (aside). There's nothing European about 
that. She's her mother's own girl, after all. (Aloud.) 
Buy Salt Lake City and Denver — ten days — at forty-six. 

Lady Mary (making note on tablet). Thank you, papa. 
(Looks up.) Straight tip, governor? No larks, you know. 

Vanalstyne. Oh! — honor bright. (Aside.) It's worth 
thirty-six. I'll have Watson Flint sell it to her on my ac- 
count, and I'll get back that wedding present. 

Lady Mary. Some one has ruined one of my lovely 
vases tliat I brought from England. (Running to cabijiet 
and picking up the pieces. ) 

Vanalstyne (looking at his watch). Hilton's ten 
minutes for refreshments are up. (He crosses R., stops 
abruptly before Lord Arthur, r. c, looks him up and 
down. Lord Arthur passes l. Vanalstyne looks at him 
over his shoidder, then turns to door. Aside.) I wish 
Mary wouldn't let that run around on the carpet. (Exit 
down R. ) 

Lord Arthur. Mary, my dear ! 



38 " THE HENRIETTA." 

Lady Mary. Lord Arthur ! {Crossing to Mm L.) 

Lord Arthur. Are all the girls' fathers in America 
like that one ? 

Lady Mary. I wish they were all such dear, good, kind 
fathers as he is. 

Lord Arthur. Yes, he is very kind, only he's such a 
queer old chap. It's been the same way ever since I ar- 
rived. We've been passing each other every now and 
then all day, and I seem to take him by surprise every 
time. 

Lady Mary {laughing merrily). Ha ! ha ! ha ! ha ! You 
must remember that papa isn't accustomed to the British 
aristocracy yet. {Going to him. Throivs her arms 
around his neck.) My own dear, sweet little English 
lord ! I was astonished, too, when I first met you. But I 
love you now, darling, and so will papa ; he's just as fond 
of pets as I am. But I want to talk to Alice a little. 
{Places hands on his shoulders and forces him gently on 
ottoman L. Places hands on each cheek and turns him to- 
tvards fire L.) Sit down, Artie dear, and look into the fire 
until I get back. 

{Enter Bertie, l. u.) 

Bertie. Tell Agnes I am here, please, Mary. 

Lady Mary. I'll bring her back with me. {Exit up L. 
Lord Arthur sits l. c, looking into the fire. Bertie 
walks doivn L. c, looking at him with interest.) 

Bertie. I am the brother-in-law of a real English lord. 
{Aside.) I will keep him six weeks before I take him to 
tlie club. I will study him carefully, and I will astonish 
ail the other fellows. ' {Sits on ottoman R.) We aren't like 
the real thing a bit. {Aloud.) Brother-in-law ! (Lord 
Arthur turns front quietly and looks at him. Bertie 
looks at him a moment in silence. He looks at Lord Ar- 
thur, who still has his glass fixed on him, u'ithout the 
slightest movement of a finger or a foot. Bertie looks at 
him and then away two or three times. Aside.) If I 
don't think of sometliing else to say pretty soon this will 
become embarrassing. {Finally, aloud.) Do you like 
America ? 

Lord Arthur. Yes. {He stilllooks at Bkrtie without 
a movement. Bertie looks at him a moment, then away.) 

Bertie {aside). That's one thing we haven't got yet ; 
we can't keep on looking at another fellow as if we didn't 
see anything in particular. I will practise that before a 
cigar-store Indian. {Looks again at Lord Arthur, whose 
glass is still levelled at him.) I feel as if I were sitting for 
"my photograph. {Aloud.) Brother-in-law, did you think 
Fifth Avenue was pretty as you drove up in the carriage? 

Lord Arthur. I didn't look out of the window. 



♦* THE HENRIETTA." 39 

Bertie (aside). *He must have been looking at some- 
thing. {His face suddenly lights up. Aloud.) How did 
you like the cushion on the front seat of the carriage ? 

Lord Arthur. Beautiful, 

Bertie. Awfully, isn't it? (A.nde.) I've been wait- 
ing all day to hear how he says " awfully," and he hasn't 
said it once. (Aloud.) Brother-in-law, I would like to ask 
you, don't cher know 

Lord Arthur. Beg your pardon ; that's an American 
word. I suppose. 

Bertie (aside). I wonder what sort of an Englishman 
we've all been copying after anyway. If I shouldn't say 
" awfully " or " don't cher know " in the club for two days 
it would excite comment. If we drop both those expres- 
sions, we shall have nothing left but the eye-glass.. 
(Glances at Lord Arthur, who has not removed his gaze 
for a moment.) He does wear an eye-glass. (Aloud.) 
Are you near-sighted ? 

Lord Arthur. No ; what gave you that idea ? 

Bertie (swinging his own glass). Nothing. 

Lord Arthur. Are you ? 

Bertie. Only when I've got my glass in my eye. 
• Lord Arthur. Perhaps it isn't perfectly flat. (Laughs.) 

Bertie. I dare say it isn't quite accurate. (He jmts his 
glass in his eye : it drops. He glances at Lord Arthur 
and tries several times to keep the glass in; then aside.) 
If I could wear a glass as he does I should paralyze New 
York. (Aloud.) Were you born so ? 

Lord Arthur. I suppose so. 

Bertie. Blood will tell. (Rising, crosses to left, and 
sits on ottoman unth Lord Arthur. Lord Arthur turns 
and looks into the fire again.) My sister Mary — I would 
say Lady Mary;— she always was a lady ; but we never 
before thought it necessary to call special attention to the 
fact every time we spoke of her ; Lady Mary said this af- 
ternoon that you would tell me about your English clothes. 

Lord Arthur. My valet will show them to you. He 
knows how they go on. I don't. 

Bertie. We fellows at the club all have our clothes 
made in London. (Adjusts Lord Arthur's trousers, then 
looks at them, and then at his own.) Only we don't know 
when to wear the different kinds after they get to New 
York. 

Lord Arthur. My valet always puts the right ones on 
me. 

Bertie. Your valet seems to be a remarkably gentle- 
manly man for his position. 

Lord Arthur. He tries to imitate us. 

Bertie (aside). That's it ! I've got it ! (Rises quickly.) 
He's the fellow we've been imitating. (Walks up r.) 



40 "THE HENRIETTA." 

Lord Arthur. You were speaking at dinner (turning 
front) of some races at St. Jerome Park. 

Bertie. Would you like to go with me to-morrow ? 
( Walking down to near Lord Arthur, c. ) The favorite 
at our cluh is a young mare from Kentucky named 
" Henrietta." 

Lord Arthur. I can't, my dear boy, I haven't enough 
money with me. My father 

Bertie. The Marquis. 

Lord Arthur. He said he'd send me some more as 
soon as his bank account was all right. But he bought 
some railway shares from your father, about six weeks 
ago ; and he lost a hundred thousand pounds on them. 

Bertie. Oh, that's all right. I've got it in viy bank 
account. Father gave me exactly that amount about the 
same time. I believe that's what New York business men 
call "Foreign Exchange." I will put any amount you 
wish at your disposal. Then we will join our forces and 
lay our money on the favorite. {Enter Lady Mary and 
Agnes np l. Tliey stop up R. c. looking at gentlemen.) 
We'll drive out to Jerome Park, to-morrow, in my new 
English dog-cart ; I haven't any dogs, but I drive out my 
other friends in it. We'll go the races together, and we 
will take Henrietta between us. {The two ladies start 
with a scream. Bertie turns toward them. Lord Arthur 
turns and looks quietly into the fire again.) 

Lady Mary. Take Henrietta between them ! 

Agnes. Oh, Bertie ! ( Walking doivn r. and covering her 
face with both hands.) 

Bertie. Agnes, dear ! {Approaching her.) 

Lady Mary (draiving up to her full height). Lord 
Arthur Fitzroy Waldegrave Rawdon Trelavvney ! 

Lord Arthur. My full name. Lady Mary is serious. 
(He rises and walks up toivards her; she points out L. with 
.'item dignity. He turns and walks straight out, up L. c. 
She folloivs him out with an imperious air. ) 

Bertie. What is it, Agnes dear ? 

Agnes {crying). That horrid woman. 

Bertie. Woman ! 

Agnes. Henrietta ! You promised me you'd burn her 
photograph and have nothing to do with her, and now 
you're going to take her to the races with you. 

Bertie. Take her to the Oh— I see. This is another 

Henrietta. 

Agnes. Are there two? {Turns quickly.) 

Bertie. This one is a chestnut filly from Kentucky. 

Agnes. Bertie ! Look me straight in the face. How 
can you and Lord Artlmr go in that little dog-cart of 
yours and take a chestnut filly from Kentucky between 
you? 



" THE HENRIETTA." 41 

Bertie. We aren't. We are botli going to bet on Hen- 
rietta, and divide what we win — or otherwise. 

Agnes. Oh — Bertie ! {Resting her head on his breast 
with her back to audience.) Forgive me ! 

Bertie. I hope Lord Arthur will be able to explain the 
situation before Lady Mary divests him of any portion of 
his English wardrobe and chastises him. 

{Enter Mrs. Cornelia Opdyke in conservatory, up r. 
She looks over railing.) 

Cornelia. Bertie ! You're just the one I wanted to see. 
{Cqjning dowji steps.) I've been dying of curiosity for the 
last three hours, {running down R. c.) and the result will 
certainly be fatal if I don't get relief soon. Do you 
know anything about a woman named " Henrietta" ? 

Agnes. There's a chestnut filly called Henrietta ; she's 
going to race at Jerome Park to-morrow. 

Cornelia. A chestnut filly ! ( Takes a letter from her 
bosom, looks at it ; then aside.) The Rev. Dr. Murray Hil- 
ton has been betting on a horse race. {Aloud.) You don't 
know of any other female of that name ? 

Bertie. There is a ballet dancer named Henrietta. 
(Cornelia suddenly opens the letter again and stares at it.) 
Come, Agnes dear. {Stai'ts to go up to conservatory 
slowly.) We wall go into the conservatory and talk about 
something else. We haven't told each other how much 
we love each other since early this afternoon. {They go 
up the steps into conservatory, disappearing in the shrub- 
bery. ) 

Cornelia. The more I read this letter the more be- 
wildered I am. I would like another chat with you about 
Henrietta. {Drops on the ottoman, R. c still intent on the 
letter. Enter the Rev. Dr. Murray Hjl.tos doivn r., fol- 
lowed by Nicholas Vanalstyne. Cornelia holds the 
letter in her right hand, which has fallen at her side. Hil- 
ton crosses to mantel L.) Now, "is it the chestnut filly 
or the ballet-dancer ? 

Vanalstyne {aside, r.). That's his letter to me about 
Henrietta in her hand now. {Stops trying to read the 
letter, and at a slight sign from him, Cornelia turns and 
sees him ; looks surprised. Nick bows nervously and goes 
to c, turns up c. Aloud.) I think you'd better tell Mrs. 
Opdyke about the matter we have been discussing, Hilton. 
Perhaps she can give you some good advice. 

Cornelia. If I can be of any service, I shall be very 
glad. 

Vanalstyne. If he knew that was his letter, he'd see 
me further first. {Pays great attention to following scene.) 

Hilton. We have been — ah — consulting on the case of 
a — young woman — ah — named " Henrietta." 



42 " THE HENRIETTA." 

Cornelia (aside) . It isn't the filly. (Reads from letter, 
Still aside.) 

Vanalstyne (aside). She's following every word he 
says with that letter. 

Hilton (leaning on mantel). I forget her last name, 
but she is known to the general public as the — '• The 
Witch of Wall Street." 

Cornelia. Oh ! I have heard of her. 

Hilton. I — I regret to say, tliat — ah — Henrietta is a — 
very beautiful young woman. (Vanalstyne brings his 
hand to his month trying to suppress his laughter.) ^i\i\ 
she is — ah — particularly fascinating to — ah — to members of 
my own sex. (Vanalstyne flops to one side and buries 
his face in the sofa-cushion). I am grieved to add, 
madam, that I have every reason to tliink that several 
members of my congregation have become interested in 
this woman. (Vanalstyne flops over to the other side 
and buries his head in the other cushion. ) 

Cornelia (reading aside). " I am deeply interested in 
that direction, you know." 

Hilton. My dear friend, Mr. Vanalstyne. (Vanal- 
styne sudden??/ s^'^s up), trying to pidl himself together and 
look serious.) He — ha — he is the senior member of my 
vestry, and I have been discussing the subject with him. 
The woman's ostensible occupation is to give financial 
advice to gentlemen speculating in Wall Street ; her os- 
tensible occupation. You can understand my anxiety, as 
shepherd of a flock, which is largely composed of Wall 
Street lambs. 

Cornelia (reading aside). "I trust that Henrietta is 
still booming." 

Hilton. This woman's character is such that no gentle- 
man can have the most distant association with her, with- 
out justly forfeiting the respect of his friends. (Vanal- 
styne ^itrnp*' around and smothers his face in the centre of 
the sofa ; seizing both cushions and bringing them to each 
side of his face ; his heels describe circles in the air alter- 
nately. Mrs. Opdyke and Hilton see him. Cornelia 
starts up. Both stare at him, and move up R. and l. They 
approach nearer. Vanalstyne continues his struggles. 
Tlie others look alarmed.) 

Cornelia. My dear Mr. Vanalstyne. (Vanalstyne 
springs up and turns front, looking from one to the other, 
his face flushed and nearly choking. He finally bursts into 
laughter, coming down and dropping upon the ottoman, 
L. c.) 

Vanalstyne. Ha — ha — ha— ha— ha. The — the parson 
has — l)a — lia — ha — lia — landed himself — ha — ha — ha — high 
and dry with the widow — ha — ha — ha — ha — out of my 
way ! Ha— ha— ha — ha — ha ! 



" THE HENRIETTA." 43 

Hilton. I do not understand the cause of your mirth. 

Cornelia. Perhaps this will help you to understand it, 
Mr. Hilton. {Holding up the lettei'.) Your letter, in- 
tended for Mr. Vanalstyne, sent to me by mistake. 
{Walks doivn R.) "I trust that Henrietta is still booming." 
(Vanalstyne sJioutsivith laughter.) 

Hilton {^recovering from his astonishment and moving 
down to Vanalstyne, c). I will explain it all to her. 
{Starts to go to Cornelia, c. Vanalstyne stops him sud- 
denly. Suddenly serious. Apart.) If you do, you'll lose 
every dollar you've put in. {Cr'osses to R.) 

Cornelia. But the postscript ? 

Vanalstyne. Postscript ! 

Cornelia. The postscript interests me even more than 
the letter itself. {Crosses to c.) 

Vanalstyne {rising suddenly). Postscript! {To Hil- 
ton.) You didn't tell me about any postscript. 

Cornelia {reading). " I give you my entire confidence 
in this matter, my dear brother Vanalstyne, for I know 
that you are more deeply interested in Henrietta than any- 
body else." (KiUTO-i^i walks lip c, complacently. Vanal- 
styne catches his breath, then turns up stage to go after 
Hilton, loho has reached the door, l. Vanalstyne stops 
him. ) 

Hilton. If you explain it to her, you will lose every 
dollar you've put in. {Walks out L., icith stately dignity. 
Vanalstyne moves doum, glances at Mrs. Opdy^ke, goes to 
door, R., looks to Cornelia, turns to speak, she laughs, he 
bows aickwardly, looks at her again, she still continues 
laughing, he ivith a forced laugh. ) 

Vanalstyne. Down on both alleys ! {E.vit doum r. 
Cornelia bursts into hearty laughter, and moves tip 
stage. ) 

Cornelia. HaMia — ha— ha ! {Looking l.) Mary, Ag- 
nes — girls ! {Beckoning.) Such fun ! Ha — ha — ha — ha^ 
ha ! {Enter Mary up l. ; Agnes runs in, in conservatory, 
up R., moving down c, still laughing, Mary on her L. ; 
Agnes rmis down the steps, R.) I have found out all 
about Henrietta. 

Lady Mary. She's the favorite for the races to-morrow. 

Cornelia. No ! Ha— ha— ha— ha ! She's neither a 
chestnut filly nor a ballet-dancer. Ha — ha — ha — ha — ha ! 
The Rev. Dr. Murray Hilton has just told me all about 
her, in the presence of Mr. Nicholas Vanalstyne, and they 
know Henrietta is a beautiful young woman, known as 
the Witch of Wall Street. 

Agnes. Witch ! 

Lady Mary. Young woman. 

Cornelia. Her character is spotless — all black with- 



44: " THE HENRIETTA." 

out a white spot on it. All the lambs of Dr. Hilton's flock 
are in love with her, and one, at least, that liasn't been a 
lamb in a great many years, not to mention the sliepherd 
himself. Ha — ha — ha — ha ! (Cornelia ntns iip stage into 
conservatory and disax)pears among the shrubbery iqj R. ; 
still continues laughing until it dies aicay in the distance. 
A slight pause before speaking. Bertie api^ears in con- 
servatory, looking back at Mrs. Opdyke. ) 

Agnes. Mary ! 

Lady Mary {drawing up to her fidl height). Lord 
Artlmr Fitzroy Waldegrave Rawdon Trelawney has de- 
ceived me. {She tcalks up with great dignity, stops upL,., 
looking out.) He is coming tliis way. {She pauses a 
moment, looking sternly out L., then j^oints majestically 
away as if to a person apj^roaching, and goes out up 
L. Agnes stands r. c. , choking .slightly and touching her 
eyes with her handkerchief. ) 

Agnes. There — there must be some mistake — some- 
wliere. I — I am sure Bertie wouldn't tell me a story 
about it. 

Bertie. "What's the matter, Agnes? {Walks dotvn 
the steps.) Are you sobbing? 

Agnes. Not exactly ; almost. {A slight sob.) 

Bertie {at her side). But why, Agnes, dear? 

Agnes. There — there are so many different kinds of 
Henrietta. 

Bertie. Have you found another one ? 

{Enter Rosk from L. ; she stops c. up stage.) 

Agnes. Yes ! 

Rose. Agnes. 

BEtTiE. Rose. {Crosses L. ; Agnes goes to Rose, l.) 

Rose. I was looking for you. Go to your room, my 
child. I have something to say to him {turns coldly to 
Bertie) that is not right for you to hear. 

Agnes {looking at Rose, and realizing it is something 
painful). No, there is nothing you can say to him that I 
Jiave not the riglit to hear. 

Rose. Perhaps it may be better that you should hear. 
Bertie, you and my sister are engaged to be married. 

Bertie, Yes. (Douin l. corner, sits on ottoman, L.) 

Rose. That engagement must be broken off. 

Bertie and Agnes {together). Broken— off! {Quickly 
rises and turns to Rose.) 

Rose. At once 

Bertie. But 

Rose. I insist upon it. 

A(iNES. Rose ! 

Rose. I always knew that you were a fool, Bertie. 



" THE HENRIETTA." 45 

Bertie. Aj?nes knew that before she said she loved me. 
(Agnes nods her head approvi7igly.) 

Rose. If she had known what I know now, she could 
never have loved you. I did not believe that you and your 
silly companions at the club were anything tvorse than 
fools. 

Bertie. We aren't. We only pretend to be. I told 
Agnes all about it. (Agnes 7iods her head as before. En- 
ter Vanalstyne, Jr. , and Dr. Wainwright up l. They 
stop up L. c.) What have you heard ? 

Rose. The worst that I could possibly hear. You have 
ruined and cruelly deserted a woman who loved and 
trusted you. (Agnes drops on ottoman, R.) 

Bertie. I— I have— what ? {Dazed. Mrs. Opdyke ap- 
pears in conservatoi^y.) 

Wainwright (aside). He has thrown the blame on his 
brother, and made me a participant in his crime. 

Bertie (suddenly). That must be the other Henrietta 
that Agnes was talking about. (Turns to Rose.) 

Rose. You know her true name well enough, though I 
dare say you have been too careless to learn the whole sad 
truth. Dr. Wainwright can tell you that. He was at her 
side to-day, where you ought to have been also. Ask him 
what I have heard to-night. 

Bertie. Sister Rose, I declare to you, on the honor of 
a gentleman, that I know nothing whatever about the 
matter you are speaking of. (Agnes turns hopefully to L.) 

Wainwright (aside, glancing at Vanalstyne, Jr.). I 
will protect him no longer. (Aloud.) Mrs. Vanalstyne, 
here is the packet which was sent to you to-night. (Hands 
herj^ncket. Vanalstyne, Jr., starts in alarm, ivatching 
her intently. Cornelia stands at rctiZ, up r. c, looking 
doum. Vanalstyne, Jr., has taken a small chair arid 
places it back to audience, iq) c. and l. ; sits.) 

Rose. A packet of letters to the poor woman from the 
man who deserted her. (Crosses to Bertie, p^/i.s the letters 
in his hand, then re-crosses to Agnes. Bertie looks at the 
letters beivildered, then sloivly unwraps the packet, looks at 
the letters and starts. Vanalstyne, Jr., is ivatching him 
intently. He gives a slight start as he sees the letters. The 
others are looking at him deeply interested. Rose turns to 
him.) Do you recognize tlie liandwriting? (Music, v. v.) 

Bertie. Yes, I — why ? ( Turns sharply to Vanalstyne, 
Jr., who rises and looks at him apx)ealingly. Bertie tiwns 
to audience, lookfs at letters again, then looks to Agnes.) 
Agnes ! 

Agnes. Bertie ! (Falls on ottoman, r. , face in hands, 
.sobbing. Rose is consoling her. Bertie turns again 
.sharply to Vanalstyne, Jr., who points to Rose appeal- 
ingly and shakes his head. Rose crosses to Vanalstyne, 



46 " THE HENRIETTA." 

Jr. Bertie turns again to audience, then slowly crosses to 
mantel, and drojys letters quietly into fire. Music swells to 
F. E. Bertie leans on mantel, head on hand.) 

CURTAIN. 
SECOND PICTURE. 

Bertie on r. ottoman, with elboiv on knee. Dr. Wain- 
WRiGHT stands ivith his hand on his shoidder behind 
him. Agnes and Rose up l. c, Agnes looking at 
Bertie, Rose draicing her gently towards l. d. ; Van- 
ALSTYNE, Jr., uiith one foot on conservatory .stej)s. 
Mrs. Opdyke has jncked letters out of fire and extiyi- 
guished flame. Music kept up f. all through. 



CURTAIN. 



ACT III. 

SCENE PLOT. 

PLAIN CHAMBER. 

4 wings. 

2 set doors. 

C. D. Flats. 

Interior backings back of all openings. 

BROKER'S OFFICE FURNITURE. 

Cloth down over Act II. , carpet tacked and stretched. 

1 flat or roll top desk, oak or ash. 

2 revolving office chairs. 

2 large oak armchairs. 
1 small oak table. 

3 light oak chairs. 
1 roll-top desk. 
Plenty of plain rugs. 
Telephone on right side of R. D. 
Telephone bell outside of R. D. 
Glass of water outside of R. D. 
Basket in front of ticker. 
Machine in perfect working order. 

Have dummy ticker in R. 1 E. in case of accident to 
machine. 

Bunch of keys for Musgrave. 

Newspaper for Van, Jr. 

Small note book and pencil for Flint. 

ARTICLES ON DESK R. 

1 inkstand and pens and pencils. 
1 check-book. 
1 order-book. 
1 put pad — pink. 

1 call pad — blue. 

2 pads of writing paper. 

Half dozen blank calling cards. 
Inventories, list, quotation sheets, etc. 
Pigeon-holes filled with papers. 

47 



48 " THE HENRIETTA.' 

ARTICLES ON DESK L. 

1 inkstand, pens and pencil. 

1 check-book witli checks filled out 

1 blotter. 

Papers strewn over desk. 

1 waste basket in front of desk. 



Note.— The furniture for this scene must be of leather 
and of oak or ash, and anything used in Act I. viust not be 
used in this scene. When safe is used, dreSa it as safes are 
usually dressed. 



GAS PLOT, 

' OFFICE OF WATSON, FLINT & CO. 

House, foots and borders full up. 
Bunch lights R. and L. 2 E. 
Bunch lights R. and L. of C. D. 



THE HENRIETTA." 49 



ACT III. 

Scene I.— OJ^ce of Watson Flint & Co., Stock Exchange 
Brokers. Double glass doors, up stage, near c. ; corridor 
at hack, door down l., door up r. c, small kail beyond, 
desk down R., another up l., safe up r. c, small table up 
L. c, revolving chair at each desk, two luxurious arm- 
chairs, one near c, the other up r. c, Stock indicator 
down R., with basket ; telephone up r. c. The decoration 
of the room as rich as possible, yet appropriate to a busi- 

• ness office ; the furniture and woodwork of polished hard 
woods, sofa ornamented to haruionize with the decora- 
tions, richly engraved glass in door. The indicator is 
working as the curtain rises. Watson Flint stands near 
indicator with the tape in his hand reading it. 

Flint. New York Central down to one nine and three- 
eighths. Delaware and Hudson ninety-nine and a quarter ; 
all the gilt edges giving way ; and money locked up. The 
market is getting more and more excited. A flurry ! — 
more than a flurry ! "St. Paul & Omaha, preferred — one 
seven. Failure of Lapscomb & (>o." The air is thick with 
failures to-day. Keokuk and New Mexico three points 
lower : that comes home to us. A danger signal ! " Hen- 
rietta Mining and Land Company " — here we have it — 
"eighty-seven" — a drop of two points since ten o'clock — 
" eighty-five and a quarter." Aha ! The squall has struck 
us suddenly. Henrietta is the centre of attack. I sus- 
pected as much. *' Eighty-four." It is going down witli 
a rush. The enemy has chosen to-day for the final battle ; 
and Old Nick is away on his yacht. (A signal on the tele- 
phone, up R. c; he goes up, sj^eaks into it and listeus alter- 
nately.) Hello! Who is it? Oh !— Agnes ! What? 
{Repeats what he hears.) "Mrs. Opdike and Lady Mary 
have gone down to your office. They asked me to tell you 
they were coming." All right. (Speaks in telephone.) 
Is your brother Nicholas at home? {Listens.) "Bertie 
liasn't been at home for ten days." {Speaks in telephone.) 
Where is your brother Nicholas ? {Listens. ) " We haven't 
seen Bertie since a week ago last Tuesday." {Speaks in 
telephone louder.) Where is Nicholas ? {Listens. ) "If you 

see Bertie " Bertie be — hanged ! Good-bye. {Rings 

off telephone, turns atvay.) Bertie would be a valuable 
assistant at a crisis like this. {Returns to indicator and 
reads tape.) " A strong bear raid on Henrietta has devel- 
oped itself. All the Vanalstyne's stocks are falling rapidly. 
A general panic is threatened. Intense excitement. Ru- 
mored suspension of two National Banks. Henrietta — 
seventy-nine ! " {Tlie indicator stops.) A break of ten 



50 " THE HENRIETTA." 

points since the opening. {Sits at de^k.) I must head off 
the enemy at once. If the old man were here, heVl toss the 
whole excliange on his horns. ( Writes.) " Buy ten thou- 
sand shares Henrietta in one block." (Enter Bektie, up C 
from L. ; he is dressed with exquisite neatness in the height 
of style, a glossy silk hat, gloves, etc. Bertie coughs, which 
attracts Flint.) Ah, Bertie ! 

Bertie. Cousin Watson ! 

Flint {writing.) "If this does not check the fall, 
buy ten thousand more." {Does not lookup.) Agnes was 
just speaking to me about you— through the telephone. 

Bertie. Agnes? Is Agnes well? 

Flint {rising.) She was not very well, when I last 
called ; she couldn't see me. {Steptping into passage up 
R. c. and holding out his arm with note beyond door, and 
exits. ) 

Bertie. Agnes wasn't very well the last time I heard 
about her. Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! {Sighs— goes up L. ; brings 
chair from table doum c.) 

Flint {re-enter^comes down). Commission to us — 
one-half to the big operators — six hundred and twenty-five 
dollars. "Whichever side loses, we brokers win. {Sitsu.; 
to indicator.) Tick on, my friend, you entertain me. 
( Turns to Bertie and drops business tones. ) You left home 
very suddenly, and late at night, about ten days ago, 
Bertie. 

Bertie. Yes. 

Flint. We've all heard of you, now and then ; though 
none of the faniily has seen you. You sent back word that 
you had taken apartments at Delmonico's. Are you still 
there ? 

Bertie. Yes, Cousin Watson, I am launched upon a 
career of maddening dissipation. 

Flint. Indeed ! 

Bertie. I have become a wild and desperate gambler. 
During the last ten nights I have been visiting faro-banks 
and other dens of iniquity. I have at last come down to 
Wall Street. I desire to encounter a tiger of a larger size 
and more savage nature. They tell me that I shall find 
such an animal here. The smaller ones have ceased to 
distract my thoughts. Will 3'ou teach me the game? 

Flint. You wish to buy a few shares of stock ? 

Bertie. Yes, I will take a few dozen chips to begin 
with. Wliat do j^ou charge for them ? 

Flint. Sliares differ in value, like wall-paper, accord- 
ing to what is printed on them. 

Bertie. You may choose the pattern for yourself. 

Flint. How much margin do you want to put up ? 

Bertie. Margin? Tlioy didn't say anything about that 
in the other places. Wliat is a margin ? 



'' THE HENRIETTA." 51 

Flint. Money — say ten thousand dollars— a check on 
your bank — or securities. 

Bertie. What do you mean by the word "securi- 
ties " ? 

Flint. Bonds — sound railway shares— anything that I 
can turn into money, at a moment's notice. 

Bertie. You never order stocks unless people give you 
money or securities first ? 

Flint. Certainly not. That is my only protection. If 

stocks go up, you make a profit. If they go down 

{Turns to desk.) 

Bertie. I lose the margin. I think I understand the 
game. I will try my luck. Where are the tables? 

Flint {turns, looks at Bertie in surprise). At the 
Stock Excliange, across the way. 

Bertie. I suppose I can go over there with safety. ^'' 
(Rises and stand back of chair.) About how often do the 
police pull it ? 

Flint. Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! You will be quite safe. 
(Rises. The indicator ticks.) This is the machine w^e play 
the game with. 

Bertie. I will give you my check for fifty thousand 
dollars. (Walking l. to desk and sits.) 

Flint. How does Hem^ietta suit jou? 

Bertie (turning suddenly). Henrietta does not suit 
me at all, sir. Henrietta has been the cause of all my 
troubles ; and permit me to say this, sir, if any man men- 
tions the name of Henrietta to me again, I will hit him. 

Flint. Oh, very well. Shall I buy Keokuk and 

Bertie. Buy anything you like. (At desk l. c. ; writes 
check. ) 

Flint (looking at tape). Ah! a rally of four points, 
from seventy -nine back to eiglity-three. That last order 
has had its effects. (Reads tape.) "Henrietta is now 
holding its own. All the Vanalstyne stocks are stronger, 
and the panic is checked.'^ (Indicator stojis.) The bear 
movement seems to be paralyzed. (Turns to desk and 
writes. ) 

(Enter Vanalstyne, Jr., up c, ivith 7iewspaper hi his 
hand.) 

Vanalstyne, Jr. (stopping near door). Bertie — here? 
Bertie ! (Bertie rises, comes to c. at same moment 
Vanalstyne, Jr., comes doimi l. c, holds out hand and 
says " Bertie ! " Bertie turns suddenly, makes move- 
ment as if to take his hand, looks at him, then shakes his 
head and goes to Flint. Vanalstyne, Jr., sighs and goes 
L. to desk and sits. ) 

Bertie. Here is the check. 



52 " THE HENRIETTA." 

Flint {turyiing in his chair). Oh, Nicholas ! You've 
come at last. ( Takes Bertie's check and writes on a card, 
not looking up from desk.) I will give you a card of intro- 
duction to my partner at the Exchange— the Broad Street 
entrance. There's a special place for private visitors. Be 
sure you don't get on the floor by mistake. No outsider 
lias ever been on the floor of the New York Stock Ex- 
change and come out alive. (Looks up at Bertie.) We 
always kill them— and eat them for lunch . (Giving a card.) 

Bertie. It will entertain me. (Flint takes paper he 
has icritten on from desk and goes to door r. and exits. 
Bertie crosses l. to table, takes hat and cane, goes up c, 
turns ^o Vanalstyne, Jr.) How did you leave Agnes this 
morning ? 

Vanalstyne, Jr. (he does not look up from newspaper). 
She didn't come down to breakfast ; a headache, Rose 
told me. 

Bertie (half aside). I have a headache, too, nearly 
every morning now. (Sighs.) I wish that were the only 
pain. Perhaps the Stock Exchange is good for a head- 
ache. (Exit up C. offL.) 

(Re-enter Flint, goes to desk r. and sits.) 

Vanalstyne, Jr. (throivs doion paper, rises suddenly 
and comes to c). Flint ! 

Flint. Well? (At desk.) 

Vanalstyne, Jr. It was you, of course, that gave the 
order which checked the panic a few moments ago ? 

Flint. Yes ; I have general instructions to protect 
.your father's stocks in case both of you are absent. Now 
that you are here, you can take charge of matters yourself. 

Vanalstyne, Jr. You and I may as well understand 
each other to-day, Flint. 

Flint (turns to Vanalstyne, Jr.). I think we do un- 
derstand each other. It was you that tried to bring about 
the panic this morning. Your father has sailed on his 
steam yacht for a day's excursion, leaving his affairs in 
your charge. You have been waiting for an opportunitj'- 
like this to strike the final blow, after fighting against 
him in secret for more than three months. You have 
been working the market to-day from the private office 
of your father's bitterest enemy on the Street — Mr. John 
Van Brunt. If you succeed in beating down the price of 
Henrietta to sixty-five, before three o'clock, Nicholas 
Vanalstyne will be ruined, and you will be a million- 
aire many times over. We understand each other per- 
fectly, you see. 

Vanalstyne, Jr. Perfectly. 

Flint. But for tlie present you have failed. You for- 



" THE HENRIETTA." 

got to instruct me not to protect the stocks. It was a 
serious oversight. I am a mere business machine. 

Vanalstyne, Jr. It was, indeed, an oversight. (Takes 
L. corner.) 

Flint. Tlie battle has been turned against you ; you 
have exhausted all the money and securities within your 
reach, and it is after two o'clock already. 

Vanalstyne, Jr. I have but one resource left. 

Flint (rises and comes c). I see what you mean. Your 
father's own securities. 

Vanalstyne, Jr. Yes. 

Flint. But even you cannot nerve yourself to take 
them from the safe deposit vaults and use them against 
him. It U'ould be very much like robbery, 

Vanalstyne, Jr. Father has his own keys with him, 
and I mislaid mine. 

Flint. I did you an injustice ; I thought you had con- 
scientious scruples. (Returns to desk.) 

(Enter Musgrave i;j3 c, nervous, anxious and out of 
breath ; tliroivs hat in chair R., comes down L. c.) 

Musgrave. Ah, Mr. Vanalstyne ! I hope the Henrietta 
mine is all right. I found your keys, sir 

Vanalstyne, Jr. Ah ! 

Musgrave. After you left the house. 

Vanalstyne, Jr. Quick ! Give them to me. (Comes 
to Musgrave hiuTiedly.) 

Musgrave (searching his pockets). I saw how anxious 
you were about it, sir, and hurried right down. Where 
did I put them ? I hope the delay hasn't been dangerous 
to your father's interests. Oh, here they are ! (Giving 
keys. ) 

Vanalstyne, Jr. (goes to l. corner, hurriedly turns and 
rushes up c. , 7neets Old Nick in door c. , starts hack and 
goes to L. corner) . Just in time ! Now, w^atch the ticker, 
Flint. 

Vanalstyne. Hello, boys ! The bears have been play- 
ing the devil with you this morning, haven't they ? The 
old bull has come back. Just in from BuUtown. Stand 
from under, youngsters ! (Moving down. Flint goes up 
and sits in armchair. ) Watch the blue Empyrean above 
my horns ! You'll see a thousand bears pawing the air in 
about fifteen minutes. (Moves R. looking at tape.) My 
steam yacht broke her shaft while we were passing Staten 
Island. As we were landing at Stapleton, a friend called 
out to me from the dock, " There's an earthquake in Wall 
Street." I tumbled over the taffrail and caught the next 
ferry, I enjoy earthquakes. They have been hammering 
things down— a regular bear raid. Trying to catch me in 



9,^ 



54 " THE HENRIETTA." 

a panic, eh ? I've been through fifty panics before. Going 
to wipe out Old Nick, eh? I'll have a jollier excursion 
than I expected to-day. Things are safe for the present, I 
see. This is an ambuscade ; they knew of my absence. 
(Exit Flint. During the following Old Nick rises into 
savage earnestness, moving l. ; Vanalstyne, Jr., half 
crouching as he proceeds, Flint's eyes fixed upon him.) 
Strange ! — that I can't" find who my real enemy is. 
When I do find him, I'll crush him to the earth. I'll grind 
his life out. It will be a death struggle between us ; but 
his heart will cease to beat. {Stops suddenly, looking at 
Vanalstyne, Jr., who has staggered slightly icith his hand 
at his heart. Old Nick catches him.) My boy, you're 
trembling. It's no time now to lose courage. The fight 
isn't over yet. How much ammunition have you left ? 
What securities have you used up, so far ? 

Vanalstyne, Jr. I was about to go to the Safe Deposit, 
to get our securities, 

Vanalstyne. Just going ! 

MusGRAVE. He mislaid the keys, sir. 

Vanalstyne. The devil he did ! 

MuSGRAVE. I have just brought them to him. 

Vanalstyne, Then hurry up ! Bring all there are. 
We may need them to-day. {Returning r. to indicator.) 

Vanalstyne, Jr. (aside). I shall win the battle yet. 
(Exit up c, , hurriedly. ) 

Vanalstyne. Musgrave, follow my son ; he'll need 
your assistance. (Exit Musgrave up c.) The bears have 
had everything their own way this morning. (Looking at 
taj^e.) But I'll toss 'em ; the weather is changing ; it will 
soon begin to rain bears. (Stoj) ticker.) 

(Re-enter Flint, goes to his desk, takes a paper and starts 
to go c, sees the ladies as they enter. Enter Mrs. Cor- 
nelia Opdyke and Lady Mary up c. from l. ; Lord 
Arthur ivalks in quietly behind them.) 

Flint. Ladies ! (Takes chair from table L., places it c. 
for Cornelia.) 

Vanalstyne. Mrs. Opdyke ! Helloa, Mary ! 

Cornelia. We have come down to Wall Street on busi- 
ness. 

Flint. You received my note. (Then to Vanalstyne.) 
The Louisville and West Tennessee, preferred, which you 
instructed me to transfer to Mrs. Opdyke. 

Vanalstyne (moving to Cornelia, c). I signed the 
papers yesterday. (Lord Arthur ivalks down r. c, the 
indicator begins to tick, he starts around and stands star- 
ing at it through his glass ; Lady Mary has dropped into 
chair up r. c. ; Flint has gone to safe up R. c, opening it 
and counting over a bundle of shares.) 



" THE HENRIETTA." 55 

Cornelia. I believe I am under great obligation to you, 
Mr. Vanalstyne, for letting me have these railway shares. 
Mr. Flint tells me they are the choicest now in the market. 
{Ticker.) 

Vanalstyne. Don't mention it, madam. I'm very glad 
to serve you. {Aside.) If the Rev. Dr. Hilton knew I 
had the widow's fortune in my control, the vestry meeting, 
next week, would be interesting. {Returning it. he stops 
suddenly, looking at Lord Arthur, tvho is still staring at 
indicator. It stops ticking. Lord Arthur tarns; glances 
up at Vanalstyne a moment, then quietly crosses l. 
front.) I wish that was a bear cub, instead of a British 
lion. I'd toss it so high, to-day, it'd never come down. 
(Lord Arthur sits l.) 

Lady Mary {rising). / came down on business, too; 
my little flyer on Salt Lake City and Denver, at ten days! 
{Going to indicator.) 

Vanalstyne (r. c). Tliis is the day. I'm sorry, old 
girl, but you've lost that little wedding present, {clmck- 
ling) and I've got it. 

Lady Mary. {She has picked up the tape and is looking 
at it.) Oh, no ! Here it is now ; just come, on the ticker. 
It's tliirt3'-five to-day. {Looks up slyly at Old Nick.) I 
saw a twinkle in your eye, governor, when you gave me 
that pointer. You advised me to buy at forty-six. I sold 
at that figure — you bought. {Laughs.) 

Vanalstyne. I ! 

Flint. {During jwevious speech, he has come down to his 
desk, comes dozen to Old Nick.) Five thousand shares, sir ! 

Vanalstyne. I ! That rubbish ! — at forty-six ? Five 
thousand rat-traps ! 

Flint. Here is your order to me, sir. {Hands him 
order. ) 

Vanalstyne {looking at order, then at Mary). Is 
this the order you wrote out and brought me to sign ? 

Lady Mary. I wrote two of them. You read one and 
signed the other. 

Flint. The difference due Lady Mary is fifty-five thou- 
sand dollars. {Returning to safe. ) Commission to us from 
both sides. 

Vanalstyne {bursting suddenly into hearty laughter). 
Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! Kiss your dad ! {Goes to Iter ; 
seizes her in his arms; kisses her.) Exactly like her 
mother. {Crosses to c.) I always tried to do Matilda out of 
her anniversary presents. ( Walking L. ) But she doubled 
them on me every year. {Stops suddenly before Lord 
Arthur, then turns up l. to Cornelia.) 

Lord Arthur. My American father-in-law hasn't got 
over being surprised every time lie meets me, yet. {The 
indicator ticks, Lady Mary looks at tape.) 



56 " THE HENRIETTA." 

Lady Mary. Henrietta ! 

Cornelia {springing to her feet). The Witch of Wall 
Street ! (Lady Mary looks sternly across at Lord Arthur ; 
he sits and speaks with all the injured dignity he can as- 
sume.) 

Lord Arthur. Lady Mary ! I still insist that Henrietta 
is a chestnut filly from Kentiickissippiana, or some other 
damned American state, at the races at St. Jerome Park. 
( The indicator stops. ) 

Lady Mary {looks sternly at Lord Arthur). I am 
surprised, Lord Arthur Trelawney, that you sliould persist 
so long in trying to deceive me, {Turns and reads tape 
slowly.) " Henrietta is now eighty -five." {Slight p)ause.) 

Cornelia {rises suddenly). Dr. Hilton paid she was a 
young woman. 

Vanalstyne (Old Nick at hack of Cornelia, trying 
to suppress iaughs, then comes round to c). Let me set you 
right, Mrs. Opdyke. Ten days ago, it was necessary to 
conceal matters ; but it's an open fight now, Henrietta 
is not a woman. It is only the Henrietta Railwa}' and 
Mining Company. Tliere is a Witch of Wall Street and 
she is on the list of the Stock Exchange ; but her name 
isn't Henrietta. Doctor Hilton and I made up that little 
story to put you off the track. Henrietta is not a woman. 
{He takes chair up stage, and Cornelia goes up L. c. with 
him. ) 

Lady Mary. 0-h ! Artie, (^ear/ {Crosses stage in front 
to L. with arms extended and picks him up and stands him 
on his feet.) My darling, sweet little English lord ! And 
I haven't let you go outside the house, alone, since we 
arrived in New York. My poor, dear, little Artie ! {Pat- 
ting him under the chin.) 

Lord Arthur. I always said it was only a chestnut 
filly. 

Lady Mary. Ha ! ha ! ha ! ha ! My dear, innocent 
pet! {Turns to Cornelia.) Cornelia, my love, there's 
another private room on the other side of the hall. Lord 
Arthur and I will wait there till you are ready. Come, 
Artie, dear! {Apart.) I owe you a thousand kisses. 
( Goes up stage with her arm about Lord Arthur. Both 
go up stage rapidly, laughing and talking ad lib. until 
well off c. and L. ) 

Vanalstyne {both Vanalsiyne and Cornelia come 
down c, Vanalstyne on r.). I hope you will forgive me 
for deceiving you, Mrs. Opdyke. 

Cornelia. And I've been wronging our dear, good 
pastor all this time. 

Vanalstyne. Oh, by jove ! {Aside.) It lets him out 
as well as me. 

Flint {rises from desk ivith check and crosses to CoR- 



" THE HENRIETTA." 57 

NELIA). Mrs. Opdyke, if you will sign this check for 
three hundred and sixteen thousand dollars, to the order 
of Mr. Vanalstyne, the transaction will be completed. 

Cornelia. Certainly. (Both go to desk h.,FL,iNT hands 
her pen, she signs check, gives it to him, he crosses to Van- 
alstyne.) 

Flint. The railway shares are in my safe. (The indi- 
cator ticks. ) 

Vanalstyne (aside). I hope I shan't be obliged to 
ruin that railroad company to freeze out the parson. 
(Crossing R.) I'll propose to the widow before he has a 
chance to see her again. 

Flint (the check in his hand). Where shall I deposit 
Mrs. Opdyke's check for you ? 

Vanalstyne, What bank is it on ? 

Flint. The Security. 

Vanalstyne. Transfer it to my own account in the same 
bank. (Flint goes to his desk.) I may have to draw on it 
this afternoon. My other accounts are very low to-day. 
(At indicator.) Hello! What's this? (Beads.) "The 
bears have suddenly resumed their attack on the Vanal- 
styne stocks." Henrietta is going down again. Flint! 
(Comes down to him R. c.) What margin liave you left 
for us? 

Flint. I can order ten thousand more shares. 

Vanalstyne. Do it — in Henriettas — at once. 

Flint. Yes, sir. (Goes to r. d.) 

Vanalstyne. It is time Nicholas returned. 

Flint. His worthy son has evidently got the securities 
in his own hands and is using them. (Exits R. ; indicator 
stox)s. ) 

Cornelia, Well ! (Rises from desk.) We have com- 
pleted this business matter. I will go, (Starts to go 
up c.) 

Vanalstyne (turns to her). Don't you be in a hurry. 

Cornelia. Lady Mary is waiting. 

Vanalstyne. But / haven't completed my business 
with you, madam. 

Cornelia. Indeed ! 

Vanalstyne. No I (Holds tape in right hand, looks at 
her, then at tape several times undecidedly, then drops tape 
and goes to her c.) I'm in love with you. 

Cornelia. Eh ? 

Vanalstyne. And I want you to be my wife. 

Cornelia. Wliat ! 

Vanalstyne. You heard what I said. I know I'm a 
rough, blunt man, and I can't descr-be my feelings as an- 
other man migbt, that didn't love you half as much. 

Cornelj.a (turning away) . At last ! 



5g '• THE HENRIETTA." 

Vanalstyne. But mj^ heart {The indicator ticks. 

He stojos abruptly and goes back to it, watching tape. ) 

Cornelia (aside, still looking aumy). I must not yield 
too easily, but I do like him. {Aloud.) Go on, sir. {Aside.) 
His tongue falters. 

Vanalstyne. Holy Moses ! 

Cornelia. Eh? {Turnijig.) 

Vanalstyne. I've got to back out of this. 

Cornelia. Sir? 

Vanalstyne. Henrietta down to seventy-six. The old 
lady is getting me into a trap. Why the devil doesn't 
Nicholas return with those securities? {Turns squarely 
towards her.) They've got the old bull in a corner. 

Cornelia. Really, sir, I don't know what all this has 
to do with — with {Indicator stops.) 

Vanalstyne, Oh, of course ! As I was saying. {Backs 
away from ticker.) I've been in love with you since we 
first met. I have loved you more and more from that day 
to this. You must be my wife. 

Cornelia. Must ? {Looks away L.) 

Vanalstyne. Yes, madam — must ! And if any man 
dares to come between us, I'll choke him — through his 
white cravat — damn him. {Shakes his fist at audience.) 

Cornelia. Oh, he is delightful ! 

Vanalstyne. I love you, Cornelia, with all my strength 
— with a love that will not be denied. It shall not be de- 
nied 

Cornelia. Do give me time. 

Vanalstyne. How much ? {Roughly.) 

Cornelia. Time— to— say— " Yes." 

Vanalstyne. Yes! {Tlirowing out his arms eagerly.) 

Cornelia. Y-e-s. {Spreading her arms and falling 
hack towards him. The indicator ticks. He drops his 
arms and rushes to it, leaving her to totter back over her 
skirts and sit squarely on the floor. She springs uj) at 
once and stands like an enraged tigress, glaring at him. 
He is staring at the tape. ) 

Vanalstyne. The old girl is down again. 

Cornelia. Mr. Vanalstyne ! 

Vanalstyne. That's the worst tumble I ever saw in so 
short a time. 

Cornelia. I say no — no — no — no ! 

Vanalstyne. Sixty-nine ! 

Cornelia. A thousand times — no ! {Sweeps up stage, 
throws open both doors ivith her hands, angrily, and exits 
rapidly.) 

Vanalstyne. Cornelia ! Cornelia ! Cornelia ! {Has 
tape in right hand, half turning each time to see, a^s if un- 
decided whether to follow or remain at ticker, but remains 
at ticker. The indicator ticks.) 



" THE HENRIETTA." fJO 

(Enter Flint, r., hurriedly; comes dozen to Vanal- 
STYNE, R. c.) 

Flint. Bad news, Mr. Vanalstyne ! My partner sends 
word that everything has gone by the board, and the 
wliole Exchange is in full panic. 

Vanalstyne. "Sixty-eight." [At ticker.) Our mar- 
gins are exliausted? (Half turns to Flint.) 

Flint. Yes, sir. 

Vanalstyne (lookim/ at icatch ; goes to c. ; Flint tnkes 
Jiis place at ticker). Half-past two. If Nicliolas doesn't 
return within ten minutes, we shall be wiped out. Ah ! 
The three hundred thousand just received from Mrs. 
Opdyke in the Security Bank. That'll keep us afloat 
till he gets here. I'll give you a check for it. (Sits at 
desk up L.) We'll get ahead of them yet. (Writing 
cheek. ) 

Flint (reading tape). " The chairman has just an- 
nounced the failure of the Security Bank." (Indicator 
stops. ) 

Vanalstyne. Failed ! The Security ? (Starting up 
and throwing doivn his j)en. Enter Vanalstyne, Jr., up 
C. ; comes down c.) Ah, you are here, my boy ! (Throii's 
arms around his neck. ) The old bull is still alive. I'll toss 
them yet. The securities ! 

Vanalstyne, Jr. (quietly). I am sorry to say, father, 
that I have not got them. 

Vanalstyne. You— you haven't brought them ? (Stag- 
gers hack toivard c.) And there's not a moment to lose. 
(Flint sits at his desk.) 

Vanalstyne, Jr. There are no securities belonging to 
us in the safe deposit vaults. Our safe there is quite 
empty. 

Vanalstyne. A robbery ! You lost your keys this 
morning. It w^as Musgrave found tliem. 

Vanalstyne, Jr. Yes, Musgrave found them. 

Vanalstyne. He has been bribed by the opposition. 
We can punish him, poor wretch ! (Indicator ticks.) 

Flint (business of reading tape from chair without 
rising) . ' ' Henrietta — sixty-five.'" (Indicator stops. ) 

Vanalstyne (in c, hands extended, listening anxiously 
for report). We have lost the fight. (Arms droj) to his 
sides in despair .) It has been a long battle and a liard 
one, and my entire fortune has been swept away. This is 
my Waterloo. (Tur^ns to Vanalstyne. Jr.) Your for- 
tune is gone also, my son. (Crosses to Vanalstyne, Jr., 
and pats him on the back.) But cheer up,. Nick, old boy. 
You're still young, and I am only fifty-five. We'll begin 
life again togetlier. The world's before us, and we'll 
enjoy the struggle. (Enter Musgrave up c, puts hat on 



GO '* THE HENRIETTA." 

chair as before. Vanalstyne tuims sharply, sees Mus- 
GRAVE, moticms for him to come down, ivhich Musgrave 
does, R. c.) Musgrave, you liave a wife and family ; I'll do 
what I can for them, but yoti must go to prison. {Then 
to Flint. ) Send for an officer. 

Musgrave. To prison ? 

Vanalstyne. Where are those securities ? 

Musgrave. I accompanied your son to assist him, as 
you instructed me. He did not wish me to do that, but I 
watclied him all the way — for fear he might be robbed — 
from the Safe Deposit Company to the very door of Mr. 
Van Brunt's office. (Musgrave boivs his head.) 

Vanalstyne. Van Brunt ! (Old Nick j^uts his hand 
on his shoulder and Musgrave raises his head, and they 
look at each other squarely in the face; then he turns 
.slowly and looks at Vanalstyne, Jr.) 

Flint (aside). This is growing interesting. 

Vanalstyne, Jr. My dear father ! let me explain mat- 
ters. You have thouglit it to your own interest to in- 
crease the value of the Henrietta Mining and Land Com- 
pany. I have found that my interests lay in the opposite 
direction. 

Vanalstyne {removes hand from Musgrave's shoulder 
quickly, and starts hack). Why, it is you, then, who 

Iiave {Half starting forward with raised hands. He 

clinches his fists fir^mly and checks himself ; pids his hands 
behind his back with an effort.) Go on, sir ! 

Vanalstyne, Jr. I have done what seemed best for my 
own business interests. You have lost your fortune to-day, 
but / have gained one. I will settle upon you an allow- 
ance of ten thousand dollars a year. ( Turns squarely to 
Old Nick.) 

Vanalstyne. Scoundrel ! {Darting across and seizing 
Vanalstyne, Jr., by the throat ; forces him doivn before 
him.) You trembled when I said I would crush my enemy 
— tremble now ! I told you it would be a death struggle 
between us ; but his heart would cease to beat. Does 
yours beat now, you coward ? By God ! it will be the last 
time ! ( Tlirows him savagely on the floor ; starts forward 
as if to crush him. Vanalstyne, Jr., says appealingly, 
" Fatlier ! " Old Nick stojjs .suddenly, looks at him, stag- 
gers back, and says) My son ! My loved and trusted son ! 
My God ! my own son ! {Staggers back up c. feebly, unth 
face to the audience, then turns, throws both liands above 
his head, .'iays) My God ! my own son ! {and staggers off 
L. c. Slight pause until Nick uiell off ; then Musgrave 
takes his hat hurriedly and exits after him. Vanalstyne, 
Jr., rises to /li.s feet, stands down l., ivavcring slightly and 
breathing heavily.) 



"THE HENRIETTA." d 

Flint (rises and crosses to c). Have you any orders at 
present for us ? 

Vanalstyne, Jr. (stands ivith hand on heart, leaning 
heavily against desk L. ) . Not to-day. 

Flint. I hope that you will favor our firm in your future 
operations. (Exit up R. C.) 

Vanalstyne, Jr. I shall be master of Wall Street yet. 
(Rushes over to ticker ; takes tape and is looking at it 
eagerly.) The master of Wall Street ! 

(Enter Dr. Wainwright ?tp c. : puts hat on L. table, then 
crosses hurriedly to Vanalstyne, Jr. ; puts hand on his 
shoulder. ) 

Wainwright. Vanalstyne, I have driven down from your 
house as rapidly as possible. Your wife told me you were 
liere. I warned you yesterday that you should not leave 
your room for three daj^s at the least. 

Vanalstyne, Jr. Business is business. 

Wainwright. Business — gambling — with the angel of 
death. I find the whole street in a furore of excitement. 
There are crowds surging to and fro, from Trinity Church 
to the Custom House. The newsboys are just calling a 
suicide. I have come to meet my enemy Death on his own 
ground to-day. (Drags him aivayfroni ticker.) You need 
rest at once. Come! (They exeunt.) 



(Enter Bertie iq) c, His hat is crushed and his clothes in 
general disorder ; one side of his collar sticking up and 
his necktie askew on the other side, his gloves half torn off 
and cuff torn and hanging doivn, etc., etc.) 

Bertie. I have been introduced to the Stock Exchange. 
(Comes doicn c.) I shall never again refer in a light and 
I>rofane way to the place of eternal punishment. The 
gentlemanly quiet that prevails at other gambling estab- 
lisliments in New York is Heaven. I got upon tlie floor 
at first, among tlie brokers, by accident. My hat was im- 
mediately jammed down over my eyes from behind. A 
policeman in the hall advised me to go to the gallery. I 
had no sooner worked my w^ay to the front rail, than I was 
recognized by every man on the floor below. They all 
suddenly began to howl : " Henrietta! " As I reached the 
street, a man ran up to me and cried out : " How is Hen- 
rietta ? " I knocked him down and proceeded on my w^ay. 
Half a dozen newsboys ran by me. yelling at the top of 
their voices : " All about Vanalstyne and Henrietta." My 
headache is cured. (Goes l. ; sits despondently at desk — 



y 



02 " THE HENRIETTA." 

(jE^>ifer MUSGRAVE, c. ; comes down G. Thefolloiving scenes 
must he played with great rapidity.) 

MusGRAVE. Oh, Mr. Bertie, this is a sad day for all of 
us. 

Bertie. It is for me. 

MusGRAVE. Your father has lost his fortune. 

Bertie. Father! {Turns suddenly .) 

MUSGRAVE. And I have lost all the little savings of a 
lifetime. 

Bertie. Father has lost his fortune ? He gave me half a 
million dollars a few weeks ago. I'll give him back what 
there is left of it. 

MusGRAVE. How much have you? {Turns sharply to 
Bertie.) 

Bertie. I've been getting rid of it as fast as I could, 
but there's more than four hundred thousand dollars left 
in the bank. 

MusGRAVE. In the bank ? It is still there ? Perhaps 
you can save him yet. 

Bertie. Where is he? I'll give it to him at once. 
{Starts to go. ) 

MusGRAVE. No, no ! It is too late for that. He is 
gone ; and it is nearly three o'clock. Mr. Flint, make out 
a check to his order. (Musgrave hurries across R. ; Ber- 
tie goes to desk up L. ; Musgrave calls out up> r. c.) Mr. 
Flint ! {Soliloquizes.) He can order forty thousand shares 
with that margin and the enemy is unprepared. They 
think the victory is gained. Tlie panic will set the op- 
posite way like a torrent. {Looks at u'atch.) Ten minutes 
to three. The last moment. {Turns up, calls.) Mr. Flint I 
{Moving L, to Bertie, ivho is icriting check. ) 

{Enter Flint up r. c. ; comes to ticker.) 

Flint. What is it, Musgrave? Ah, Bertie, your fifty 
thousand dollars is gone. 

Musgrave. No, here — here! {Crosses loith check.) 

Flint {taking it). Four hundred thousand ; what shall 
I buy with this ? 

Bertie. Peanuts, if you like. Musgrave will tell you. 

Musgrave. Henrietta ! Henrietta ! ! 

Bertie {starting to his feet) . What the devil do you 
mean by that ? 

Flint. I'll go on the floor myself with this order. Forty 
thousand shares. It may turn the battle at the last mo- 
ment. {Takes hat from his desk and rushes off c. and l.) 

Musgrave. It will. {Goes to ticker, picks up tape and 
stands eagerly scanning it. ) The last sale was at sixty -five. 
It will soon be bouncing upwards. 

Bertie {rolls up coat sleeves, buttons his coat, fixes his 



"THE HENRIETTA." 63 

hat on straight, and crosses slowly to Musgra^ve, and puts 
his hand on his shoulder). Musgrave ! in speaking to Mr. 
Flint iust now, you referred to a certain young woman. 
Permit me to say that I have great respect tor your age, 
but I am a dangerous man. 

Musgrave. The last moment ! 

Bertie I have already knocked down one man to-day. 
I have not decided yet what I shall do to you, if you men- 
tion tliat lady's nome again in my presence, but 1 m pre- 
pared to knock down any number of men of suitable age, 
for that purpose. {Returns to desk l..) ^„. ^ , ,, . 

Musgrave {still looking at tape). Mr. Flint hasn t got 
there yet ; but it will soon go up. 

(Enter Vanalstyne, Jr., from door L. ; hurriedly followed 
hy Dr. Wainv^tright.) 

Vanalstyne. Jr. Be patient, doctor ! I'll return in a 
moment ; but I must see the closing quotation. {Crosses 
hurriedly to indicator, throws Musgrave aside roughly, 
seizes tape eagerly. Wainright stmids up l. ; Musgrave 
drovs hack r. c. ; Vanalstyne, Jr., looks at the tape.) 
There is no further danger. Henrietta has gone to pieces. 

^^Ber?ie.*' She has gone to pieces. {A broad smile chang- 
ing into a look of horror, then to a smile again.) I am 

^ Wainwright. The infernal machine is still at work. It 
kills more men than dynamite. , . 

Vanalstyne, Jr. {tcith sudden interest, giving the 
loords one by one as they come off tlw ^'^^Z^^^^) • .' ' ^^avy 
and unexpected-orders-for-the Vanalstyne-Stocks. 

MusgrIve {aside). Flint is on the floor. He's carrying 
eveiTthing before him. There's a crowd of^ howling 
demons ai'ound him now. The panic is setting in the op- 
posite wav like a torrent. . T^ . , J- 
^Vanalstyne, JR. Wild excitement ! Prices bounding 
,„,_seventy^nine-eighty ! {He draics up, bringing his 
Znd to his heart and stepping back R c. ; f/ie Doctor starts, 
watching Mm; Musgr^ye rushing down to indicator.) 

MUSGRAVE {reading). Eighty-three eighy-five Ha 
-ha' {Turning fo Vanalstyne, Jr.) You tried to ruin 
vour father-it is you who are ruined. Henrietta is safe 
Tpointsexidtantlyto Vanalstyne, Jr., icho has staggered 
to c. and fallen into Wainright's arms.) 
Bertie. Damn Henrietta ! {Rushes out of door l.). 
MUSGRAVE. " Eighty-eight,-ninety." {Indicator stops ) 
One point higher than it was yesterday, and— and the Ex- 
chang^ is closed. {Rushes up, wheels down armchair to 
c. ; Wainwright places Vanalstyne, Jr., m chair.) 



64 " THE HENRIETTA." 

Wainwright (looks up to MusGRAVE). Water ! 
water ! (Musgrave goes out R. d. ; Vanalstyne, Jr., 
sinks into the chair.) 

{Enter the Rev. Dr. Hilton up c. hurriedly and ccmies 
down c. rapidly. ) 

Hilton (anxiously). Gentlemen, I— I have heard— is 
It true ?— that Mr. Vanalstyne has been ruined ? Believe 
me— I am deeply— very deeply— interested— I mean— con- 
cerned. (Throivs umbrella on Fhmrs desk. He suddenly 
moves down to the indicator and looks at tape, handlina U 
nei^ously.) ^ 

(Musgrave enters with water ; the Doctor waves him away.) 

Wainwright. It is useless now. (Goes to back of 
chair c. ) •' 

Musgrave. Useless! (To Vanalstyne, Jr.) Oh sir 
can you hear me ? Vanalstyne, Jr., opens his eyes 'look- 
ing at him. ) The last words your father said to me ' as he 
tottered mto his carriage, was this : " Look after my son 
Musgrave, and— and tell him I forgive him." 

Vanalstyne, Jr. Forgive! (Weakly closing his eyes 
Musgrave goes up slowly to l. table, places glass on table 
and stands with back to audience, head bowed ) ' 

Wainwright. Doctor Hilton ? 

Hilton. Eh! (Twms fo Wainwright.) 

Wainwright. My duty as a physician is ended. A 
dying man, sir I (Takes off hat and stands with head 
bmced) You are his pastor. (Moving a step back and to 
the other side of the chair ; Hilton moves a feiv steps to- 
ivards them, half cringing and beivildered. Vanalstyne 
jr., slowly opens his eyes and leans forivard on the arm of 
the chair, looking at Hilton.) 

Vanalstyne, Jr. One of your rich parishioners ! (Looks 
at Hilton as he speaks, drawing up to his fidl height and 
rciising his arm to its full length, pointing upivards.) 

vI^'.^tT^ ^® T""^' ^'^ ^'^^'^®" • (HiNTON cringes before him. 
Vanalstyne, Jr., bursts into a laugh.) Ha !-}ki ^-ha ' 
;LL oW^^TH '^ ^^an howto die! (TJien almost sav- 
agely, suddenly leaning forward and looking him straight 
m the face. ) Have you ever shown me how to live 9 You 
have robbed me of my liope. (Hilton turns cringing and 
IZi'^f^-il'^''"^' '''^^ ^''' ^^cJc to the audience; the in- 
Itn^^fJ t''^'' Vanalstyne, Jr., starts; it stops ; he rises, 
Stuarts forward.) Seventy - one-sixty - eight. (Ticker 

mX^-LJ^-^t'^^w'''^'/^-' '*''^^''^' ^^'^ ^''fo Doctor's 
aims and sinks into chair; his head drojjs on his breast 



" THE HENRIETTA." 66 

lifeless ; the Doctor places his hand over his patienVs 
heart ; the indicator ticks a few times, and is silent.) 

Wainwright. Tick on ! tick on ! Bring fortune — and 
despair — to the living ; the ear of a dead man cannot hear 
you. (Indicator ticks till curtain is down.) 

SLOW CURTAIN. 
SECOND PICTURE. 

Everybody off stage except Vanalstyne, Jr. Ticker ticks 
slowly and sharply until curtain is down. 



curtain. 



Act IV. 

SAME AS ACT II.— DRAWING-ROOM OF VANAL- 
STYNE MANSION. 

LIGHT FANCY. 

3 wings. 
1 set door. 
1 large arch. 
1 large square opening. 
Conservatory backing back of arch. 
1 light fancy practical window. 
Street backing behind window. 
Interior backing back of set door. 
Mirror backing behind mantel. 
20-inch platform in large arch 6x8. 
Steps from platform on the stage. 
Light fancy borders. 

Note.— Make all sets far down steige as possible ; close 
to proscenium. 



PROPERTY LIST. 

SAME AS ACT II., WITH A FEW SLIGHT CHANGES 
OF FURNITURE. 

1 small gilt easel. 

1 cabinet photograph of man, to destroy. 
1 large, richly carved table (gold), not same as used in 
Act II. 
Books. 

1 photograph of man on small easel on table R. 
1 photograph of Dr. Wainwright on mantel L. 
1 letter written and sealed, for Rose. 
1 bundle of burnt letters in tissue paper, for Cornelia. 
1 bundle of bonds for Musgrave. 
1 inventory and pencil for Musgrave. 
1 coin for Bertie. 

66 



♦* THE HENRIETTA." 67 

Note. — Everything on this list must be in the theater 
before the arrival of company. Do not make any changes 
or alterations. The furniture for Acts II. and IV., satins, 
plus-hes, or brocatelles. The settings of this piece must be 
of the richest and most elaborate and expensive descrip- 
tion. 



GAS PLOT. 



SAME AS ACT II.. EXCEPT THAT CHANDELIER, 

STATUE-LIGHTS AND LOG ARE 

NOT LIGHTED. 

Change blue strip for white, back of conservatory. 
Change blue bunch to white, back of window L. U. E. 

Note. — When ceilings are used, only first border is 
lighted. All others must be taken up out of the way. 
When ceilings are not used, all borders full up. Strip 
lights on proscenium. Too much light cannot be given 
any of these scenes. 



CALCIUM PLOT. 

Snme as Act IT., excepting all lights change to white. 
No medium behind fireplace L. 



G8 " THE HENRIETTA. 



ACT IV. 

Scene I. — An interval of eighteen months. Vanalstyne's 
residence. The drawing-room as in Act II. Furniture 
differently arranged. Sofa doivn L. c, near mantel; 
table up c. ; table down R. ; on latter a small easel-frame, 
with cabinet photograph, facing up stage ; an ottoman 
down L. ; armchair up R. c. ; sunlight through conserva- 
tory roof and sides ; the plants in conservatory re-ar- 
ranged; tJie curtains of the French ivindoic in receptio7i- 
room up L. drawn, showing balcony and street beyond ; 
fire in grate— December. Discovered : Agnes, standing 
in the conservatory, half sitting on the railing against 
the further side of the arch. She has flowers in her 
hands, toying with them. 

Agnes. Almost a year and a half since I went away. 
It doesn't seem possible. Everything in the house looks so 
natural. It's over two hours since I got home, and I 
liaven't seen Bertie yet. I — I'm very glad. I suppose I 
oughtn't to be, but I am glad that Bertie missed the 
steamer for Europe to-day. 

{Enter Rose up l. c. She ivalks in sloivly, looking at the 
address of an unopened note. She pauses, down c, still 
looking at it. ) 

Rose. From Dr. Wainwright. (Starts to tear it open; 
stops.) I know what it must contain. His last words to 
me yesterday, and his last look, told me plainly enough. 
(Sighs.) He loves me. (Pats her hand uHth the envelope 
irresolutely.) I — I'm sure I — I have never said anything 
to — to encourage him. (Sighs again; turning R., stands 
before table.) Dr. Wainwright has been a kind, dear 
friend, and I — I have always been glad to — to have him 
call — even when it was not absolutely necessary in the line 
of his professional duty, but I have never said one word to 
lead him to think that I — that I — but how foolish I am — I 
dare say it is only a prescription. I was threatened with 
a cold when he was here yesterday. (She is opening the 
envelope. Her eyes rest on the portrait on the table. She 
stops suddenly, drops the note on the table, and sinks upon 
the ottoman, looking at the picture.) My husband, the 
idol of my girlish dreams ! Can I have a single thought 
that is not devoted to your memory ? (Agnes comes doicn 
the steps, c. , to Rose ; puts arm around her neck affection- 
ately. ) 

Agnes. Rose, darling ! That's just the way I saw you 
sitting and looking at his picture, eighteen months ago, 



" THE HENRIETTA." 69 

before I went away to Boston. I wish you could think 
of something else, dear. That's a note from Dr. Wain- 
wright, isn't it ? 

Rose. Yes! {Snatching it up hastily.) Some advice 

about my health — tliat is — I haven't read it yet — but 

{Thrusts note into her bosom; both rise; Rose crosses to 
L, ; Agnes remains c.) Agnes, I have something very 
close to my heart, and I want to talk with you about a 
certain gentleman. I told him you were coming home 
from Boston to-day, and I asked him to call. 

Agnes. Mr. Watson Flint? 

Rose. Yes, darling. He has loved you for a long time, 
and he has talked about you to me, every time we have 
met, since you first went away. 

Agnes. Do you know where Bertie is ? 

Rose. Have you been very unhappy in Boston, dear? 
{Both cross and sit on sofa, L.) 

Agnes. I ought to have been happy, our dear old aunts 
in Charlestown were so kind. 

Rose. Some of your letters to me were very sad. 

Agnes. How did Bertie happen to miss the steamer 
this morning ? You said he was going to Europe to stay 
six months, in the same letter that you said that I might 
come back from Boston, 

Rose. I will be perfectly frank with you, Agnes. I 
did not wish you and Bertie to meet again. 

Agnes. You have always been my mother, dear ; the 
only mother I ever knew, and I know that my happiness 
is nearer to your heart than your owh. After you told me 
that Bertie was so — so very wicked — I — I wouldn't have 
married him for the world. I am very glad you did send 
me away. {Turning her face away and touching her eyes.) 

Rose [crosses to table, r., and sits; Agnes comes c). I 
fear these eighteen months liave not cured her dear little 
lieart. Have / been as true to my first love as she ? {Look- 
ing at picture. ) 

{Enter Bertie down r. ; he stops r. c, as he sees Agnes.) 

Bertie. Agnes ! (She looks around, at him ivitha slight 
start, dropping her eyes. He steps foricard, extending his 
hand ; loithdraivs it, then extends it again, with another 
step towards her. She moves toivard him ivith downcast 
eyes and timid manner, laying her hand in his.) Thank 
you. I — I'm very glad to see you again ! 

Agnes. I — I'm sure, I'm — I 

Bertie. I heard yesterday morning that you were com- 
ing home to-day. {She suddenly unthdraivs her hand and 
runs to Rose, ivho rises, r. c.) Tliafs the reason I missed 
the steamer this morning. I tried to tell the coachman to 



70 *• THE HENRIETTA." 

hurry, but I couldn't. (Walking L., puts hat on mantel 
and umbrella in corner.) 

{Enter Watson Flint up l. c. ; comes down c.) 

Flint. Agnes, I am delighted to see you again. {3Iov- 
ing down and taking her hand. ) 

Agnes. Thank you, Mr. Flint. 

Flint. I have come up from the office expressly to 
meet you. A lively day at the Exchange. (Looking across 
at Bertie, and still holding Agnes' hand.) Money at fif- 
teen per cent., and stocks going dow^n with a rattle. (To 
Agnes.) I have longed for tliis moment, Agnes, since 
you first left us. 

Rose. Agnes and I are going into the library. Won't 
you join us there ? 

Flint. With pleasure, but I have a little business mat- 
ter to talk over with Bertie. I'll be with you presently. 
(Rose inclines her head and goes r. loith Agnes. Agnes 
goes out R. Rose looks back at Flint, who joins Bertie, l.) 

Rose (aside). I am not quite sure that Watson woidd 
make a woman happy. (She takes the note from her 
bosom, opens it, and walks out down R., reading it.) 

Flint. I came up at once, as soon as I heard you 
missed the steamer. An unexpected turn in the market 
in your favor, as usual. I thought you would lose in that 
last venture, but you have a large profit. I little thought 
two years ago, Bertie, that you would be known to-day as 
the Young Napoleon of Wall Street. Any further orders? 

Bertie. Yes, A. T. and S. F. I think those are the let- 
ters — but I don't care much what portion of the alphabet 
you use. 

Flint (feels in all pockets for note-book and pencil ; 
finding no book, he uses l. cuff and makes memorandum on 
it). Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe. 

Bertie. Oh ! — that's it. I never have the remotest idea 
what any particular combination of letters means, but 
I've got tlie list by heart. Five thousand shares on the 

red (Flint looks at him in surprise.) I mean — at 

tliirty days. 

Flint. Current rates, I suppose. Buy or sell ? 

Bertie. I will consider. (He turns away, takes a coin 
from his pocket, and tosses it on his knee.) IBuy ! (Aside.) 
I am the Young Napoleon of Wall Street. 

Flint (during the following .speech he continues writ- 
ing on cuff, crosses r., and exits r. without looking up), 
I'll send down" the order at once by the telephone up- 
stairs ; then I'll join Agnes in the library. (Going R., 
aside. ) How I love tliat girl ! Six hundred and twenty- 
five dollars more to us. (Exit down R.) 



" THE HENRIETTA." 71 

Bertie. If the right side of that fifty-cent piece con- 
tinues to turn up, I shall be a Wall Street giant. ( Walking 
R.) Heigho ! (Siglis.) I always win ; it's getting monot- 
onous. The old proverb is true, " Unlucky in love, lucky 
at cards." {Looking at the picture on the table.) 

{Enter Dr. Parke Wainwright up l. c. ; he walks down 
and stands a second, looking over Bertie's shoidder.) 

Wainwright. You are looking at your brother's pic- 
ture, Bertie. 

Bertie {looking u}!) . Doctor! 

Wainwright. I know what you are thinking about. 
Agnes has returned. 

Bertie. Yes. 

WAtN WRIGHT. And his crime still keeps you apart. I 
am the only man living who could clear your character 
and make you both happy. 

Bertie {takes the Doctor's hand). You have told me 
from the first that you would do so at any niioment if I 
asked you. 

Wainwright. I should be bound in justice to do that. 

Bertie. I do not ask j^ou. {Drops Doctor's hand.) 

Wainwright. I am grateful to you for that, Bertie — it 
would pain lier too deeply. 

Bertie. When Brother Nicholas died a black curtain 
was drawn over it all. Perhaps things will come right 
some day ; but I can't open his grave, it would be too hor- 
rible. You have come to see Rose. 

Wainwright. Yes. 

Bertie. I will go. I don't think it is a case which re- 
quires a consultation of physicians. 1 will go. {Walk- 
ing up stage. Exit up l. c. ) 

Wainw^right. His memory stands between them like a 
solid wall. {Looking at the picture.) His sacred mem- 
ory ! The mere shadow of treachery and deceit. ( Walk- 
ing L. ) 

{Enter Rose down r. Her eyes are drooped and her 
hands folded. He turns and looks at her. TJiey bow to 
each other gravely.) 

Rose. Dr. Wainwright ! 

Wainwright. I wrote to you less than half an hour 
ago, but I could not wait for your reply. 

Rose. I — I — was just writing a note to you when the 
servant brought me M'ord that you wislied to see me. 

Wainwright. Forgive my impatience ! What was 
j^our answer ? 



72 " THE HENRIETTA." 

Rose. I — I began — and tore it up— half a dozen times. 

Wainwright. *' Yes ? " — or " No ? " 

Rose. 1 forget whicJi the last one was. 

Wainwright. Ah ! {Springing towards her. She 
star-ts. ) 

Rose. I mean 

Wainwright. You mean "yes." I will give you no 
time to change it again. 

Rose. Oh, I have misled you. I did not intend to say 
what I did. I have hesitated — but I — I (Sees t J lc pic- 
ture. ) 

Wainwright. Rose ! 

Rose {quietly). Dr. Wainwright ! 

Wainwright. I beg your pardon, Mrs. Vanalstyne. 

Rose. You may call me " Rose." We have been such 
sincere friends, and for so long a time. You seem like one 
of the family. 

Wainwright. Heigho! {Sighing.) I have received 
your answer. 

Rose. I told you I tore them all up. 

Wainwright. You were hesitating only to find the 
kindest words for a refusal ; but we cannot be merely 
friends any longer. 

Rose. You will come to see me — to see us all — as here- 
tofore ? 

Wainwright. If you are in pain or danger, Rose, 
{taking her hand gently in his) 1 will still be at your 
side. {Looking into her eyes.) I shall count my skill as 
jiothing, except when it brings relief to you. Tliat is all 
I have valued it for in the past. My only prayer to heaven 
for myself is this : " When the inevitable time comes at 
last, that a pliysician's skill is useless, I pray that anotlier 
may be at your bedside and I in the grave." {Starts to 
go ; then more lightly.) In the meantime, I hope 3^ou will 
not need my .services often, but when you do, send for 
me. {Presses her hand gently and goes up stage. She 
ivatches him and checks him ivith an " Ah ! " He stops up 
L. c. near door, looking hack.) 

Rose. You are not leaving so soon? Don't go, please — 
just now. I — I'm not feeling very well this afternoon. 
{Crosses to L. She drops upon a sofa quickly, turning her 
face away and looking doivn. He ivalks down and leans 
upon the back of sofa, looking down at her ivith a smile.) 

Wainwright. What are your symptoms ? 

Rose. I — I hardly know. I — I have never felt exactly 
like this before. {Drop)S her head.) 

Wainwright. Is your heart beating regularly? {Takes 
her hand.) 

Rose. Perhaps it is my heart ; it hasn't been beating 
quite regularly since — since 



" THE HENRIETTA." 73 

Wainwright. Since you have been in such distressing 
doubt as to how you should answer my note ? 

Rose. For the last twenty minutes or so. 

Wainwright. Your hand is warm. {Raising it in his 
own.) A trifle feverish, perhaps. Let me see your face. 
{She looks up at him, her hand still resting in his.) Your 
eyes look strange to me. No — not strange ; for they re- 
mind me of the eyes that looked into mine six years ago, 
<;>n the day we first met. Do you wonder, Rose, that I 
learned to love the sweet young girl I met so often in her 
rounds of charity, or that I love lier now? 

Rose. The poor people all told me how generous and 
kind you were to them. 

Wainwright. My charity was a selfish one, I fear ; I 
visited those that you did twice as often as the rest. 

Rose {turning back her head, looking up at him, and 
placiyig her other, hand on his). You have loved me so 
long? 

Wainwright. With a love that is all the stronger be- 
cause — because it was once hopeless. Oh, the agony I 
suffered when I first saw those ej^es turn with' love upon 
another ! {Removing her hands from his quickly, she starts, 
sitting upright and looking before her.) 

Rose. Leave me ! leave me ! They shall not turn away 
from him now. {Dropping her face into her hands, iveep- 
ing and rising ; icalks r.) 

Wainwright. Your love is mine. Rose — not his! Mine 
by right! {Passionately moving doum r.) I loved you 
before he saw you, and when he gained your heart I suf- 
fered in silence. I bore the torture for months and years. 
I saved him from death, that you might not suffer as I 
had. But heaven itself decreed that you should be free ; 
that you should return at last my long-tried love. You 
are mine, Rose — mine ! 

Rose. No, no, no ! I will not forget him — I cannot ! 
( Dropping on chair. ) 

Wainwright {almost fiercely). His memory shall not 
stand between us. I will tell you the truth — the whole 
truth. {She looks up at him suddenly.) That man to 
whom you gave your spotless life ; that man to whom you 

brought the perfect faith of a young girl ; that {She 

lias risen to her feet and is looking at him in amazement. 
He stoj^s abruptly, looks into her eyes, and moves back a 
step.) What w^as I about to do ? What have I been say- 
ing ? I'm dreaming ! I am wild ! My words mean notli- 
ing — nothing! Cling to your memories, Rose; tliey are 
tender and pure, like the heart in which they grow. If a 
new love for me cannot grow among them, let it die. 
{Starts to go.) 



74 " THE HENRIETTA." 

{Enter Mrs. Cornelia Opdyke up l. c. in carriage dress 
and a cloak ; comes to c.) 

Cornelia. Oli, I beg your pardon ! 

Rose {turns to her quickly). Cornelia! 

Cornelia. Sorr}-^ to interrupt you, but I must have a 
few moments' conversation with you, Rose — in private. 
Doctor {She comes doicn c.) 

Wainwright. I have just finished my own call. {Boiv- 
ing to Rose, she returns it. He turns up stage.) 

Cornelia. Don't leave the house just yet. I shall have 
something to say to you also. I'll meet you in the— the 
little pink room at the end of the hall. 

Wainwright. I will wait for you. {Bows and exits l.) 

Cornelia {stands c, looking off after Doctor). Rose 
— I should be in love with that man, if you weren't. 

Rose. What nonsense, Cornelia. 

Cornelia. Not a bit of it ; I really should. {Comes 
down c.) My dear, I am a pauper ! 

Rose. What ! 

Cornelia. I have lost my entire fortune. 

Rose. Oh ! 

Cornelia. Your father-in-law, Mr. Nicholas Vanal- 
styne, was the man that did it. It's what he calls " a turn 
in the street." I call it highway robbery in the street. 
My agent informs me this morning that the railway stock 
I bought of Mr. Vanalstyne, a year and a half ago, isn't 
worth a penny. 

Rose. My dear! (Crosses if o Cornelia.) 

Cornelia. I haven't a penny in the world ; that is — 
there are a few pennies lying loose on my dressing table 
and a few thousand dollars in the bank. I owe that to my 
dressmaker. But that isn't what I came to see you about. 
It's quite a different matter. (Rose crosses. Sitting on sofa 
l. c. ; Rose si^s r. on sofa. ) I've brought a little package of 
dynamite with me. {Rose starts .^lightly. Cornelia fa ^'es 
a small j)acket from her bosom.) Here it is. I'm going to 
explode it — right here — now I 

Rose. Dynamite ! 

Cornelia. One doesn't like to interfere in family mat- 
ters, you know ; otherwise, I should have taken the roof 
oif this house long ago, I have hesitated ; and this little 
packet of nitro-glycerine has lain all this time, in one of my 
jewel caskets. But when you told me, this morning, tluit 
Agnes was to come back to-day, and Mr. Watson Flint 
^vas still anxious to marry hor, and Bertie was going to 
P^iirope, only he missed the steamer — and I do believe he 
(lid it on purpose— I took this little bundle of gun-cotton 
out of my dressing case, as soon as I got home. " Now is 
your time to go off," said I. 



" THE HENRIETTA." 75 

Rose. Cornelia, what are you talking about ? 

Cornelia. You are in love with Dr. Wainwright. 

Rose. As I have told you before, Cornelia ( Turns 

away. ) 

Cornelia. — It is nonsense. Of course it is — and very 
delightful nonsense, too. I've seen it coming on gradually 
for the last six months. I've been waiting for it. 

Rose. I will not allow {rises) you to speak so flip- 
pantly on a subject wliich ought to be sacred, even to you. 
No, Cornelia, I am still true — I shall always be true — to Jiis 
memory. {Crosses to table R. , looking at jncture. Corne- 
lia rises, folloivs her c. and remains up c. ; bursts into 
hearty laughter. Rose looks at her, startled and shocked.) 

Cornelia. True to his memory ! {Points to jncture.) 

Rose. Cornelia, this is horrible ! You are cruel — heart- 
less ! It is sacrilege ! 

Cornelia. True to that miserable traitor and lying 
knave! {Pointing at the jmture.) False alike to his 
father, to his brother, and to his wife ! 

Rose. I will not listen to you — I will not believe you. 

Cornelia. No! Listen to /iz'm ; — believe your own eyes. 
Do you remember, one night — I was visiting here, and 
happened to be looking over the railing, up there — you ac- 
cused your husband's younger brother of ruining and de- 
serting a woman who loved him ? You gave him a packet 
of letters, that had been written to her by her lover and 
you asked him if he recognized the handwriting. {She 
ojyens the XKicket, folding back the tissue paper covering de- 
liberately and revealing a charred, half -burnt packet of 
letters. Extends it toivard Rose. ) Do you recognize the 
handwriting ? (Rose takes letters, still looking at Corne- 
lia, turns face to audience, then looks at letters sloivly, 
starts, exclaims "Ah !" drops letters at her feet, falls in 
chair, head on arm, sobbing on table. ) I picked that out 
of the fire, where Bertie had thrown it. I thought things 
were not quite as they appeared to be. I knew both of the 
brothers so well. 

Rose. Cornelia ! Cornelia ! {Rises, dropping her head 
on Cornelia's shoidder arid weeping. Cornelia pats her 
gently. ) 

Cornelia. Let the tears flow, my darling. {Aside.) 
They'll soon wash out all there is left of his memory in 
her heart. 

Rose. I am ill, Cornelia ! I am ill ! 

Cornelia. Yes, my dear ! Shall I call Dr. Wainwright ? 

Rose {star-ting up, moving r). Oh, don't do that I 

Cornelia. I'll send the Doctor to you. 

Rose. Not for the world. 

Cornelia. I'll send him away. 



r, " THE HENRIETTA. 



40 



^ 



Rose. O, no ! You — you needn't do that. {Goes R. 
looks around at Cornelia. Exits rajndly.) 

Cornelia {calling after her and laughing heart ilij). 
He's in the little pink room, at the end of the hall. I'll tell 
the Doctor to wait there till she comes to him for profes- 
sional advice ; but I must clear things up. {Seeing the 
charred letters on the floor, she picks them up and lays 
them on the table, then draws the photograph from the 
frame, tears it up. 2:>lacing the pieces on the pile, crosses 
aud throws the whole into the fire L. ; her eyes catch a pho- 
tograph on the manteL she takes it in her hands.) What 
an excellent likeness of Dr. Wainwright. {She starts to re- 
turn picture to mantel, looks across at empty frarne, then 
decidedly she recrosses and places it in the empty frame.) 
My dynamite explosion has cleared the atmosphere. Now, 
for the Doctor. I will send him to her. {She goes up c. 
Nicholas Vanalstyne ivalks in down r. He stops n., see- 
ing her.) 

Vanalstyne. Ahem! {She stops up l. c. ; he hows.) 
Mrs. Opdyke ! 

Cornelia {turns on him savagely). Monster! Rob- 
ber ! I will see you again presently. {Sweeps out up L. c.) 

Vanalstyne {whistling .^ioftly). The recent earthquake 
in Wall Street has been brought to her attention. This is 
my last deal, but it's a lively one. The Fourth of July of 
our forefathers was painfully quiet to what this celebra- 
tion will be. It has cost me twelve hundred thousand 
dollars so far to ruin the Louisville and West Tennessee 
Railway Company. But I'm certain the parson will back 
out as soon as he knows that Mrs. Opdyke has lost her 
fortune. She's been flirting with him ever since I let her 
drop on the floor that day instead of catching her in 
my arms. I've worn out the boiler of my fastest trotting 
horse — I mean of my steam yacht — and ruined my best 
trotter, trying to reconcile her. It's no use. {Sitting on 
.'iofa L. c.) I've had to wreck that railway company after 
all. A woman never forgives a man for not hugging her 
when she expects him to. 

{Enter Musgrave up l. c. with inventory. Comes down 
c. to Vanalstyne. ) 

Mtjsgrave. I've been over the books of the company 
and made all the necessary inquiries, Mr. Vanalstyne. 

Vanalstyne. M— m ! Well ? How many widows and 
orphans and helpless people generally have been struck by 
the failure of tliis company? {Aside.) I can't let them 
suffer, because I happen to be in love with a woman. 

Musgrave {hands inventory to Vanalstyne, who looks 



" THE HENRIETTA." 77 

it over.) The whole amount of stock held by such peo- 
ple, or in trust for them, is a little over two hundred and 
fifty thousand dollars, sir. 

Vanalstyne. Put 'em all down ! (Handing him the 
schedule. Aside.) By jove ! — widows aren't quoted at any 
such price in the market ; but I want this particular 
widow, and I'm bidding against the church militant. 
(Aloud. ) Did you get those bonds for me ? 

MusGRAVE. Yes, sir. (Taking bonds from pocket.) 

Vanalstyne. Give them to me. 

MusQRAVE (giving bonds), Mr. Bertie's last operation 
is a success, sir — like all the rest. 

Vanalstyne. Yes ; I'm proud of him. 

MusGRAVE. He has a wonderful head for finance — a 
genius, sir! (Walks R.) Great brains !— great brains! 
(Exit down R.) 

Vanalstyne. Bertie is his father's own boy. I shall 
retire from business permanently and leave a worthy suc- 
cessor — after this little operation. 

(Enter the Rev. Dr. Murray Hilton up l. c.) 

Hilton, Mr. Vanalstyne is here, James (looking back 
as he enters; comes down.) My dear and worthy friend. 
(Extends hand effusively.) 

Vanalstyne. Good morning, Hilton ! (Rising and 
'placing the bonds in his pocket.) I was just thinking of 
you. How are you getting on with Mrs. Opdyke ? 

Hilton. With — Mrs. Opdyke. 

Vanalstyne. You want to marry her. 

Hilton. I did think at one time that you 

Vanalstyne. She refused me. 
, Hilton. My dear friend ! (Grasping his hand.) The 
Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away ; but all things are 
for the best. I am convinced Mrs. Opdyke loves me, and 
your frankness reassures me. Our happy relations as 
sheplierd and — and 

Vanalstyne. Lamb — (aside) — with a fleece. (Aloud.) 
I'm rather old mutton, Doctor. But, go on ! 

Hilton. Our happy relations have led me to hesitate 
somewhat in expressing my feelings to the lady. But — I 
will be as frank with you as you have been with me — I 
have also hesitated for — for another reason. 

Vanalstyne. Can I give you a pointer ? 

Hilton. You can, and no one but you could do it. I 
have made inquiries elsewliere in vain. Do you happen to 
know the — the actual amount of our dear sister's — of — the 
amount of her worldly possessions? 

Vanalstyne. Mrs. Opdyke gave me a check about 



J 



7g " THE HENRIETTA." 

eighteen montlis ago for three hundred and sixteen thou- 
sand dollars in exchange for railway shares drawing ten 
per cent, dividends, 

Hilton. At par? 

Vanalstyne. At par. {Walkings.) 

Hilton. Ten per cent. ! Something over thirty thou- 
sand dollars a year. {Aside.) I will hesitate no longer. 
My duty calls me, I will obey. {Enter Mrs. Opdyke up 
L. c. ; comes down c. and'L.) She is here {Bows.) Mrs. 
Opdyke ! 

Cornelia. Dr. Hilton ! 

Vanalstyne. I believe you wish to speak with me, 
madam {walking up) on matters of business. 

Cornelia {coldly) . I do, sir. 

Vanalstyne. I will see you again, presently. {Imitat- 
ing her previous exit, exits up stejis and through conserva- 
tory up R. c. ) 

Cornelia. The wretch ! {Crossing angrily, walking 
down R. ) 

Hilton. Cornelia ! I trust that — that I may call you 
J)y that name hereafter. Indeed, I hope that I may call 
you by no other. I have just learned — that is — I— I 

Cornelia. You have learned the truth ? 

Hilton. I have learned what my true feelings are, and 
I cannot restrain them any longer. You know — you know 
that I love j^ou. {Taking her hands.) 

Cornelia. Ah, Dr. Hilton, I feel now how deeply I 
have wronged you. I thought you were like some of the 
others who have sought my hand — that you were inter- 
ested in my fortune. 

Hilton. Cornelia, how could you ! 

Cornelia. But you have come to me at a time when I 
have lost it all. 

Hilton. I beg your pardon. What ! 

Cornelia {aside). So, so, a study in natural history. 
I'll watch a crab walk backwards. {Aloud.) I have lost 
every penny of my fortune, but it only proves how sin- 
cerely you love me. My hand is yours. 

Hilton. Believe me, madam — I {She advances 

toward him, her hand still extended. Same business for 
Hilton. Y an ai^sty^k apjjears in conservatory.) I assure 

you, Mrs. Opdyke — that while I — while I {She again 

advances. Hilton looks at her hand as before, gasps and 
retreats to door up L. Vanalstyne appears at conserva- 
tory, R., and coughs to attract attention.) 

Vanalstyne. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh 
away ! (Cornelia bursts into laughter and walks downh.) 
Wouldn't you like some stock in the Louisville and 

Hilton. No! You are utterly nbscirbed in worldl}^ 
interests. I will return to my study and write a sermon. 



♦' THE HENRIETTA." 79 

(Cornelia steps toward Hilton third time. Hilton 
gasps.) No! (Exits.) 

Cornelia. I'll hear that sermon. I'm sure he'll bring 
tears to my eyes. He certainly has to-day. ( Wijnng her 
eyes and. dropping upon the sofa.) 

Vanalstyne (aside). N(jw, it's my turn. (On the steps. 
Aloud, coining down steps.) My dear Mrs. Opdyke 

Cornelia. Sir ! (Turning towards him savagely. He 
stops c. with a start.) 

Vanalstyne (aside). I'd as soon offer myself to a lioness 
in Central Africa that hadn't dined for a week. (Aloud.) 
One day, some months ago— the day you bought some rail- 
way shares of me 

Cornelia (fiercely). Well, sir! 

Vanalstyne (starting, then aside). I'm afraid she'll 
accept me in about the same way the lioness would. 
(Aloud. ) I asked you on that day — I — I asked you to be 
my wife. 

Cornelia (angrily). You did, sir ! 

Vanalstyne (starting). I — see you remember the cir- 
cumstance. 

Cornelia. Distinctly. 

Vanalstyne (aside). She'll never forgive me for let- 
ting her tumble. (Aloud.) That was an accident, madam. 

Cornelia (rising, angrily). We need not recall the 
incident. 

Vanalstyne. Of course, I ought to have been there, 
when you — but you know — there was such a terrific fall — 
I mean, things went down so suddenly — that is— I would 
say — there was so much on the floor— the — so much on the 
floor of the Stock Exchange calling for my attention, that 
— well ! — I ought to have been there when you fell into 
my arms, but I wasn't. We'll let that drop. 

Cornelia. Sir ! (Angrily. ) 

Vanalstyne. What I wanted to say to you was this : 
I loved you then, and I loved you before, and I've loved 
you ever since. I ruined your fortune on pnrpose (she 
starts) to wipe out the parson. Will you marry me ? 

Cornelia (aside). He shall not compel me to be his 
wife tlirough my poverty. (Aloud, icalking R.) I will 
not marry you. 

Vanalstyne (looking doivn and blinking his eyes) . Is 
that your final answer, Cornelia? 

Cornelia. It is my answer. 

Vanalstyne (sighing) My last deal is a failure. I — 
prepared myself for it. (Taking bonds from his pocket.) 
I did not intend to rob you. (She turns to him. ) Here are 
some bonds tliat cover the entire amount that I took from 
you. (Going to her and extending his hand with the pack- 
age. She looks at it, then at him.) 



80 '' THE HENRIETTA." 

Cornelia. Keep the bonds — and take me. 

Vanalstyne. Eh? (Throiving the package over his 
shoulder.) 

Cornelia (falling back) . Be sure you're there tliis time. 
(He catches her inJiis ar)ns, brings Iter head to his breast, 
and is kisting her as Bertie enters vj) l. c. ) 

Bertie. Father, what are you doing? (Vanalstyne 
looks up, still holding Cornelia as if in a vise. She strug- 
gles to release herself. ) 

Vanalstyne (turns to Bertie, who comes doum). If you 
don't know what I'm doing, the sooner j^ou learn the 
better. (Cornelia frees herself, starting to her feet and 
catching her breath.) 

Cornelia. He — he was there. I've been in the paws of 
a lion. 

Vanalstyne. That one kiss was worth every dollar it 
cost me. All the others will be laofit, Cornelia ! ( Extend- 
ing his hand. She puts her own into it timidly.) Oh, I've 
only just begun. (He leads her vp R, c, and shows her up 
the steps ; looks at Bertie, pointing to the jmckage on the 
floor.) Young man ! There's a wedding present for you. 
(Goes up steps, following Cornelia. They disax)pear in 
conservatory. Bertie picks up the package and stands 
looking at it up L. c. Agnes runs in down R. ; stops and 
looks at him.) 

Bertie. A wedding present. (Sighs; looks up.) 
Agnes ! 

Agnes. Rose says it was all a terrible mistake, Bertie, 
and we may 

Bertie. My darling ! (Throws package of bonds on 
sofa, hurrying down to her. She ijuts up her hands, check- 
ing him.) 

Agnes. Rose says it's all right— but — /want to know 
about all those Henriettas. 

Bertie. Oli ! Henrietta is the name of a corporation. 

Agnes. Whicli of 'em is the corporation — tlie ballet- 
dancer, the chestnut filly, or the witch ? 

Bertie (both sit on sofa, Agnes r., Bertie l.). I will 
explain. You see — the — the corpoiation — it — it isn't the 
ballet dancer ; neither is tlie filly ; she isn't the corpora- 
tion either and the witch isn't, any of them — it's this way ; 
the filly is one Henrietta — and so is the corpomtion ; and 
the ballet girl, too; but the AVitch of Wnll Street— isn't. 
She's somebody else — also. Agnes !— I confessed to you 
at the ver}^ first, that I was as innocent as a new-born 
lamb, and you said you loved me in spite of it. I don't 
know anything more about Henrietta tlian you do and I 
never did. 

Agnes. That's all I want to know. I don't care who 



" THE HENRIETTA." 81 

she is. {Resting her head quietly on his breast. Bertie 
drops his arm over her geritly.) 

Bertie. I've been thinking of you all by myself, ever 
since you went away, Agnes. I've been very lonely. 

Agnes. So have I. Bertie. 

Bertie. But I love you now more than I ever did 
before I had suffered so much. I would like to kiss you, 
please. (Agnes looks up, offers her cheek ; Bertie makes 
movement to kiss her, hesitates, then raises her hand to his 
lips and kisses it, saying — ) Thank you. 

Agnes (sadly). You're welcome ! (Slight pause— 
Agnes looks away.) 

Bertie. I would like to kiss you again. (Agnes draivs 
her hand aicay and offers her cheek — he kisses her.) 

Agnes (demurely). Thank you ! 

Bertie. Don't mention it. We have been separated so 
long, Agnes, I will kiss you several times. (He kisses her 
two or three times. Lady Mary enters in conservatory as 
he is doing so. She is htoking hack, stops at rail, sees 
Bertie.) 

Lady Mary. Bertie, what are you doing ? (Bertie and 
Agnes look up at her and cross l., his arm about Agnes.) 

Bertie. If you don't know what I'm doing, the sooner 
you learn, the better. 

Lady Mary. I just caught tlie governor ; we're going 
to have a new mother. (Comes down c, beckons r.) 
Como on, governor. Ha— ha— ha— ha ! Lovers all over 
the Jiouse. The market is booming. 

Enter Dr. Wainwright aiid Rose up l. Iler arm is in 
his and both are looking down demurely. 

There's another pair ! Where's Lord Arthur ? 

Enter Lord Arthur up l. c. ; he is in knickerbockers, etc., 
he strolls doicn to table R. c. after all are on. Lady Mary 
crosses to him and stands by table at back. Rose moves 
down to Bertie, l. 

Rose. Bertie! (Taking his hand.) J know you now. 

Bertie. Sister! (Crosses to her. She presses his hand, 
then kisses Agnes and returns to the Doctor, who meets 
her up c. Watson Flint enters doumR. : he sfojjs r. c. 
and looks at Bertie, ivho has his arm about Agnes' icaist ; 
Flint moves across to him.) 

Flint (firmly). Bertie! (Bertie turns round.) Have 
you any further orders for the Stock Exchange, to-day ? 
(Cuff' business as before.) 

Enter Vanalstyne and Mrs. Opdyke from conservatory. 

Bertie. Yes, the C. R. of N. J. Ten thousand shares. 
6 



J 



82 •' THE HENRIETTA." 

Vanalstyne {with pride). The Young Napoleon of 
Wall Street. {Comes clown c. mid iratdies the following 
scene.) 

Flint. Buy or sell ? 

Bertie. I will consider. {Tosses coin on his Jcneeopenly. 
Vanalstyne starts forward, icatching him.) Sell. 

Vanalstyne. My son ! {Coming doum and crossing to 
Bertie. CoRi'iEi.i a comes down.) 

Flint. Twelve hundred and fifty dollars to us. {Goes 
to sofa L., picks up bonds, staiids at back of sofa, examin- 
ing bonds. ) 

Vanalstyne {to Bertie, l.). Is that your regular 
modus operandi on the street ? 

Bertie. That is the intellectual process, father. It 
takes brain to deal at the Stock Exchange. 

Vanalstyne. Let me congratulate you, young man. 
{Shakes hands. ) You have discoA^ered the system on which 
the leading financiers of this great country conduct their 
business interests. {Cro.'ises R., encounters Lord Arthur, 
looks at him and goes up c. to Cornelia. ) 

Lord Arthur. I've been in this country nearly two 
years and I still continue to surprise him. 

Dr. Wainwright {coming down c. u'ith right arm 
around Rose). The business interests of the country, 
these money transactions, these speculations in life and 
death, there are more sacred interests than those, and they 
lie deeper in our hearts. (Agnes and Bertie extreme l., 
Vanalstyne and Cornelia on steps of con.servatory r., 
Flint behind .sofa l. . Lord Arthur and Lady Mary at R. 
table. Wainwright and Rose c.) 

music. 

wedding march. 



quick curtain. 



\-^^ 



^ ' 



OCT 9 1901 

LIBRORY OF CONGRESS 



n 



016 117 612 6 




X 



